2.  Psychological - James Patterson, Dean Koontz  Medical - Robin Cook, Tess Gerritsen  Political/Espionage - David Baldacci, Tom Clancy  Science Fiction/Horror - Michael Crichton, Stephen King  Legal - John Grisham, Lisa Scottoline  Romantic - Sandra Brown, Mary Higgins Clark

3.  Who is involved? What is at risk? Where is it taking place? When will it occur? Why is it happening? How will it be resolved?  Letting the reader try to figure out any one of these elements can create suspense. Trying to guess how it’s going to be done can be just as much fun as trying to guess “whodunnit”.

4.  Conflict leading to confrontation is the basic skeleton of suspense.  Use strong, active verbs.  Show, don’t tell—use dialogue and action to convey the story.  Don’t insult the reader with quick, unrealistic or contrived solutions.  Know your facts and do your research

5.  The reader must care about whomever and whatever is at stake.  Threats can be physical, emotional, or psychological.  The antagonist should be fascinating, riveting, fun to watch (Hannibal Lecter in Silence of the Lambs ).  The pace of suspense is like a roller coaster ride—first the build up, then the exciting plunge, then another build up....  © Copyright 1998. Beth Amos. All rights reserved