stakes & suspense: make your story unputdownable
DESCRIPTION
Want readers to think your story is unputdownable? Follow these tips to crank up the suspense.TRANSCRIPT
Stakes & Suspense:make your story unputdownable
Bruce Hale
What is Suspense?
What is Suspense?
Umm... Dad?
What is Suspense?
What is Suspense?
The anxiety you get when you expect that...
Something will happen
What are Stakes?
The feeling that something vital is at risk
What your character has to gain/lose
The Bomb UnderThe Table
“There is no terror in the bang, only in the anticipation of it.” — Alfred Hitchcock
Your card (or name & email address)
Chance to win prizes!
A giveaway!
7 Ways to build Suspense
1. Start with Character
1. Start with Character
1. What does she want?
2. What prevents her from getting it?
3. What character traits will trip her up?
2. Set the Hook
2. Set the Hook
Humor
2. Set the Hook
Humor Surprise
2. Set the Hook
Humor SurprisePlunge
2. Set the Hook
Humor SurprisePlungeQuestion
2. Set the Hook
Humor SurprisePlungeQuestionForeshadowing
3. Up the Uh-oh Factor
(raise the stakes)
Ask: How can I make it
WORSE?
4. Thicken the plot
4. Thicken the plot
Use the Ticking Clock
4. Thicken the plot
Use the Ticking Clock
Do the Unexpected
4. Thicken the plot
Use the Ticking Clock
Do the Unexpected
Foreshadow
4. Thicken the plot
Use the Ticking Clock
Do the Unexpected
Foreshadow
Remember Pacing
4. Thicken the plot
5. Merrily Misdirect
6. Conceal...
6. Conceal...
& Reveal
a giveaway!
CDs also available at www.BruceHaleWritingTips.com
7. Take a tip From Frank
Stakes & Suspense:make your story unputdownable
Bruce Halewww.brucehalewritingtips.com