Part I asked the question, what is suspense, and my definition included: A suspense is a novel that increases intensity as the main character faces deception and danger while he devises a means to overcome the threat from the villain as the characters make choices that leads to plot twists, forshadowing and clues. Once defined, the next step is to identify degree of suspense and how the plot is structured.
Three common types of suspense are in degrees of the disaster:
• Smaller - Searching or protecting someone or something - Silence of Lamb
• Medium - Personal risk factors, life or property - The Firm
• Large - Sinister characters/twists and turns, mortal danger TV’s 24 or Lost
The nature of suspense is like the action of waves in a stormy sea or a roller coaster ride. Each scene flows between calm to excitement, seeing the wave or the hill coming and then facing it. Yet even the calm moments hint at the excitement to come. The pattern goes from suspense to resolve to calm Each step pushes the story forward.
The Structure of Suspense:
Suspense is built on components that leave the situation hanging as the characters and readers worry about what will happen next. These components are important to creating a suspense that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.
• Open with novel with a dynamic situation that nails them to their chair immediately.
• Create likeable yet flawed main characters that readers will care about. The character’s flaws will help create conflicts in the story.
• Provide strong motivation for the story hero to resolve the problem. The more personal the problem is, the greater the stakes and the greater the stakes, the more the reader will relate.
• Create a worthy opponent or villain. Give villain meaningful motivation and the strength to destroy the hero. For realism, provide him with a redeemable quality.
• Devise the conflicts and situations to grow from the least to the worse. Keep the stakes high and don’t make things easy for the hero. Make him use his brain and brawn.
• Select an effective point of view. Most suspense will have multiple POVs which means various characters will have their time to shine in a scene. This allows various takes on the issues being faced and can also provide the reader with information that other characters don’t know. Often the villain will have a POV whether the reader knows how the person is or not.
• The “ticking clock” is a dynamic technique to keep the story moving forward and adding to the apprehension and fear of the characters and the reader. Think of the TV show 24. A terrorist has hidden a bomb that will destroy Manhattan. A kidnaped child must have his medication within 10 hours or he will die. The woman will be murdered by her stalker if not located and saved. These situation accelerates the pressure to solve the situation and brings about an exciting ending.
Part III Suspense - will cover suspense characterization and how to enhance it.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
Part I What is a suspense novel?
Since suspense is a popular genre, often coupled with romance, I have created a seven part blog to share some of the important things to know about suspense. Wanting the perfect explanation, I searched online for a definition of a suspense novel and have found none that works for me. I’ve written a few romantic suspense novels that follows the suspense genre with romance added so here’s how I define a suspense novel.
A suspense is a novel that increases intensity as the main character faces deception and danger as he devises a means to overcome the threat from the villain. Suspense is made up of choices, twists, and clues. Readers experience of apprehension, anxiety and fear as they follow the main character. Suspense connects with readers when they identify with the plight of the main characters, and the suspense grows the more the are engaged by the choices of the main characters, the degree of good vs. bad, and an outcome that allows the villain receives his punishment.
Reading a suspense has common elements of a TV commercial breaks and chapter endings in fiction. Expectation. “What’s going to happen next?”
Suspense is edge of the seat questions: Who did it? Why? Is this a clue? How will the culprit be stopped? They are what readers call page-turners. Readers have a difficult time putting the novel down to go to bed, prepare dinner or leave for an appointment. And why? Because the story is a threat. . . to a person, a group or the world.
How do you create page-turner?
Through conflict with a prolonged solution creating tension and crisis. The longer it takes to resolution the situation, the greater the tension and suspense. Think: conflict, suspense, drama, surprise, resolution.
People often ask the difference between a mystery and a suspense, and writers will provide varying answers. This comparison of mystery and suspense offers information that helps define them both very well. Although some of the elements found in mystery can also be part of a suspense, this does provide good information. Follow these points to best understand writing suspense
A mystery concerns itself with a puzzle. Suspense presents the reader with a nightmare.
A mystery is a power fantasy; we identify with the detective. Suspense is a victim fantasy; we identify with someone at the mercy of others.
A mystery can be likened to a myth. Suspense is more like a fairy tale.
In a mystery the hero or heroine already has the skills he or she needs to solve the puzzle. In suspense, he or she must learn new skills to survive.
In a mystery, thinking is paramount. In suspense, feeling is paramount.
The most important action in a mystery takes place offstage. In suspense, the important action happens onstage.
A mystery usually takes place within a small circle of friends. The hero or heroine of a suspense novel often finds him or herself thrust into a larger world.
Readers of mysteries are looking for clues. Readers of suspense are expecting surprises.
In a mystery, information is withheld. In suspense novels, information is provided.
The ideal reader of mysteries remains one step behind the hero or heroine. Those who read suspense should be one step ahead of the hero or heroine.
Mystery readers expect a series. Those who read suspense know a book can be a one shot.
The hero or heroine in a mystery is looking for suspects. The hero or heroine in suspense looks for betrayers.
A mystery hero or heroine must confront a series of red herrings. The suspense novel hero or heroine faces a cycle of distrust.
Mystery endings must be intellectually satisfying. Suspense endings must provide emotional satisfaction.
Mysteries are usually three hundred manuscript pages. Suspense novels can be longer.
Taken from: Skillman, Trish MacDonald. Writing the Thriller. Writers Digest Books. 2000.
Next week: Part II: What is the structure of suspense.
A suspense is a novel that increases intensity as the main character faces deception and danger as he devises a means to overcome the threat from the villain. Suspense is made up of choices, twists, and clues. Readers experience of apprehension, anxiety and fear as they follow the main character. Suspense connects with readers when they identify with the plight of the main characters, and the suspense grows the more the are engaged by the choices of the main characters, the degree of good vs. bad, and an outcome that allows the villain receives his punishment.
Reading a suspense has common elements of a TV commercial breaks and chapter endings in fiction. Expectation. “What’s going to happen next?”
Suspense is edge of the seat questions: Who did it? Why? Is this a clue? How will the culprit be stopped? They are what readers call page-turners. Readers have a difficult time putting the novel down to go to bed, prepare dinner or leave for an appointment. And why? Because the story is a threat. . . to a person, a group or the world.
How do you create page-turner?
Through conflict with a prolonged solution creating tension and crisis. The longer it takes to resolution the situation, the greater the tension and suspense. Think: conflict, suspense, drama, surprise, resolution.
People often ask the difference between a mystery and a suspense, and writers will provide varying answers. This comparison of mystery and suspense offers information that helps define them both very well. Although some of the elements found in mystery can also be part of a suspense, this does provide good information. Follow these points to best understand writing suspense
Sixteen Differences between Mystery and Suspense
by Carolyn Wheat
A mystery concerns itself with a puzzle. Suspense presents the reader with a nightmare.
A mystery is a power fantasy; we identify with the detective. Suspense is a victim fantasy; we identify with someone at the mercy of others.
A mystery can be likened to a myth. Suspense is more like a fairy tale.
In a mystery the hero or heroine already has the skills he or she needs to solve the puzzle. In suspense, he or she must learn new skills to survive.
In a mystery, thinking is paramount. In suspense, feeling is paramount.
The most important action in a mystery takes place offstage. In suspense, the important action happens onstage.
A mystery usually takes place within a small circle of friends. The hero or heroine of a suspense novel often finds him or herself thrust into a larger world.
Readers of mysteries are looking for clues. Readers of suspense are expecting surprises.
In a mystery, information is withheld. In suspense novels, information is provided.
The ideal reader of mysteries remains one step behind the hero or heroine. Those who read suspense should be one step ahead of the hero or heroine.
Mystery readers expect a series. Those who read suspense know a book can be a one shot.
The hero or heroine in a mystery is looking for suspects. The hero or heroine in suspense looks for betrayers.
A mystery hero or heroine must confront a series of red herrings. The suspense novel hero or heroine faces a cycle of distrust.
Mystery endings must be intellectually satisfying. Suspense endings must provide emotional satisfaction.
Mysteries are usually three hundred manuscript pages. Suspense novels can be longer.
Taken from: Skillman, Trish MacDonald. Writing the Thriller. Writers Digest Books. 2000.
Next week: Part II: What is the structure of suspense.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Introspection - Inner Truth Of A Character
Introspection (also called internal dialogue, interior monologue, or self-talk) provides important information in a novel, but it’s a technique that often causes writers trouble. Too much can be boring since introspection is passive, and too little deprives the reader of getting to know the depth of a character’s needs, longings, and struggles. Introspection provides the truth as the character knows it. It reveals their true attitude toward situations and offers a look at their personality that they don’t always reveal in new relationships or relationships with superiors.
Picture yourself in a work setting. When talking to your boss, you will monitor what you say and how you say while your mind is sending out barbed comments or personal attitudes you cannot speak without offending the person who pays your salary. When trying to impress a member of the opposite sex, people have a tendency to “put their best foot forward.” It’s not until later that the true personality slips from beneath the exterior of the person he thinks he should be.
Another significant aspect of introspection in novels with a romantic story thread is that it provides intimacy between the character and the reader. This is something romance readers look for. These character come to life and the reader takes on the emotion and struggles of the characters by getting to know them more deeply through their thoughts and the emotion that results from their thoughts.
Introspection provides a variety of significant purposes in fiction:
• Reveals true personality, attitudes, secrets and struggles.
• Deepens characterization
• Reveals information and the status of relationships
• Reveals changes and growth in the character as they story progresses
• Increase tension and identifies conflicts
• Provides a broader scope of a story
• Adds realism to scene and sequel
• Can reveal the purpose or motivation behind an action
Since introspection is passive, find ways to bring it to life. Have the character do something while thinking, such as: folding laundry, cooking, working in the lawn, planting flowers, grocery shopping, dressing a child or changing a diaper, doing maintenance or washing a car, blowing snow, loading or unloading a dishwasher, vacuuming a rug or cleaning house. Any mundane activity can come to life while providing introspection, and the author can use the action as a metaphor for his thoughts.
Example:
She wished she could dust away her problems as easily as she lemon-polished the table.
Or The citrus scent of the polish smelled clean compare to the decayed odor of her actions.
Use introspection with action to provide deeper details of the activity.
Example:
Anne tore through the mail searching for the letter.
This shows Anne’s activity, but gives no explanation to why she’s hurrying, what the letter is about and her attitude or feelings toward the letter. Readers understand through Anne’s thoughts.
Anne tore through the mail searching for the letter. Her hand shook as she slipped one envelope beneath another, her mind racing. When Rob left on his trip, she’d had a bad feeling. Things had changed between them since Angie started working at his office. He’d mentioned her numerous times as if talking about her stayed him until they were together again. All her years with Rob could end on one sheet of paper.
Now you have a better understanding of the letter and what Anne expects and why.
Picture yourself in a work setting. When talking to your boss, you will monitor what you say and how you say while your mind is sending out barbed comments or personal attitudes you cannot speak without offending the person who pays your salary. When trying to impress a member of the opposite sex, people have a tendency to “put their best foot forward.” It’s not until later that the true personality slips from beneath the exterior of the person he thinks he should be.
Another significant aspect of introspection in novels with a romantic story thread is that it provides intimacy between the character and the reader. This is something romance readers look for. These character come to life and the reader takes on the emotion and struggles of the characters by getting to know them more deeply through their thoughts and the emotion that results from their thoughts.
Introspection provides a variety of significant purposes in fiction:
• Reveals true personality, attitudes, secrets and struggles.
• Deepens characterization
• Reveals information and the status of relationships
• Reveals changes and growth in the character as they story progresses
• Increase tension and identifies conflicts
• Provides a broader scope of a story
• Adds realism to scene and sequel
• Can reveal the purpose or motivation behind an action
Since introspection is passive, find ways to bring it to life. Have the character do something while thinking, such as: folding laundry, cooking, working in the lawn, planting flowers, grocery shopping, dressing a child or changing a diaper, doing maintenance or washing a car, blowing snow, loading or unloading a dishwasher, vacuuming a rug or cleaning house. Any mundane activity can come to life while providing introspection, and the author can use the action as a metaphor for his thoughts.
Example:
She wished she could dust away her problems as easily as she lemon-polished the table.
Or The citrus scent of the polish smelled clean compare to the decayed odor of her actions.
Use introspection with action to provide deeper details of the activity.
Example:
Anne tore through the mail searching for the letter.
This shows Anne’s activity, but gives no explanation to why she’s hurrying, what the letter is about and her attitude or feelings toward the letter. Readers understand through Anne’s thoughts.
Anne tore through the mail searching for the letter. Her hand shook as she slipped one envelope beneath another, her mind racing. When Rob left on his trip, she’d had a bad feeling. Things had changed between them since Angie started working at his office. He’d mentioned her numerous times as if talking about her stayed him until they were together again. All her years with Rob could end on one sheet of paper.
Now you have a better understanding of the letter and what Anne expects and why.
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