Lee Child – A Simple Way to Create Suspense

[J.A. Marlow]

Putting more suspense in some of my writing is something I’ve been trying to do more of. So, it was great to come across this article about how to simplify the process. Yeah, sometimes the simplest solution is the best.

I like how he uses the article itself to illustrate his point.

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/12/08/a-simple-way-to-create-suspense/?_r=0

J.A. Marlow
The String Weavers, Salmon Run, Redpoint One series.

Writer alter-ego of Dreamers Cove

[djmills]

Thanks, a good article. “Make them wait until the end of the book!”

[Magic Seeker]

Thanks, I needed this article today. Most of my reading is in the mystery and fantasy genres, but it occurs to me that my current WIP may be trying to follow the Suspense structure. And I don’t know much about Suspense. Time to look up one of Lee Child’s novels and see how a master does it.
👿

Hmmm. What is the difference between Mystery and Suspense, other than they are shelved in different parts of the bookstore?

Happy writing,
Deb Salisbury
The Mantua-Maker, Quality Historical Sewing Patterns and Books
www.mantua-maker.com

The Art of the Hoop: 1860 - 1869, Dress, Sewing, and Clothing Care Advice
https://www.mantua-maker.com/a---1860s-fashion.html

Dead Wizard's Loot: Wizard Whitewing #1
http://www.djsalisburybooks.com/Dead-Wizard-s-Loot.html

[ErinMH]

In mystery, you know what was done, but not by who.

In suspense, you often know who, and what will be done, but not how the protagonist is going to prevent it.

You can have both going on in the same story, of course. The Hunt for Red October has the initial mystery of why the Russian sub has stopped talking to the Kremlin, as well as the later suspense of whether their goal will be successful.

[Magic Seeker]

Thanks! That may help me clear up a very fuzzy subplot. Hmm. It may even turn into the main plot. :side:

Happy writing,
Deb Salisbury
The Mantua-Maker, Quality Historical Sewing Patterns and Books
www.mantua-maker.com

The Art of the Hoop: 1860 - 1869, Dress, Sewing, and Clothing Care Advice
https://www.mantua-maker.com/a---1860s-fashion.html

Dead Wizard's Loot: Wizard Whitewing #1
http://www.djsalisburybooks.com/Dead-Wizard-s-Loot.html

[MarFisk]

I finally got to read this and I’m not as thrilled by it. I think this thinking is what has caused the proliferation in writing and TV of beginning with the end. It’s something I hate because for me that kind of question destroys the book.

So…asking a story question in the beginning that’s intriguing enough to keep me going is great.

Presenting the answer as a question then feeding me the build up destroys the experience for me because there is no suspense. Perhaps why suspense and mystery novels are not my thing except for the ones that are detective novels in disguise.

I’ll just say this: If I wasn’t reading the article because you all loved it and so I figured it had something good to say, I would have quite right around the 1980s. The structure he was having such fun demonstrating turned me, and presumably I’m not the only reader who is this way, off.

Anyway, just another perspective. It’s important to consider the tools carefully and apply them with even greater care. A little too generous and a good thing becomes poisonous.

She remakes mechanical devices, and he dreams of becoming a steamship captain in The Steamship Chronicles. Book 1 is free in eBook.
https://margaretmcgaffeyfisk.com/the-steamship-chronicles/

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