Top Ten Tips: Create Suspense and Intrigue in Your Writing

Thinking of writing the next best-selling suspense novel? Look no further, as we lay out the ten most crucial steps to create an intriguing narrative.

Creating a story that captivates readers with suspense and intrigue isn't just a skill—it's an art. Whether you're crafting a mystery novel, a thriller, or even a romantic drama, the elements of suspense and intrigue can transform a simple narrative into a compelling journey. Here’s how to weave these elements into your stories effectively, complete with examples to illustrate each technique.

Understand the Elements

Suspense is the intense feeling that an audience goes through while waiting for the outcome of certain events. It leaves readers asking “what will happen next?” Ideally, it involves making promises to the readers that are fulfilled later in the story.

Intrigue, on the other hand, revolves around fascinating and secretive situations that keep readers guessing. It often involves complex plots, hidden motives, or mysterious characters.

1. Start with a Hook

Your story’s beginning should grab the reader's attention. You can start with an action scene, a puzzling scenario, or an unusual character. This doesn’t mean you have to reveal everything. On the contrary, give just enough to intrigue the reader to keep turning pages. For example, imagine a novel opening with a character finding a cryptic note under their door, setting off a series of questions: Who sent it? What does it mean?

Example: In Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code, the story opens with a museum curator found dead in the Louvre, and a cryptic message left beside his body. This opening immediately pulls readers into a complex web of secrets and symbols.

2. Keep Information on a Need-to-Know Basis

One of the pillars of creating suspense is to control the flow of information. Reveal enough to keep the plot understandable but hold back enough to encourage the reader to fill in the blanks. You can achieve this by:

• Delaying information: Let characters find out crucial information at critical moments.

• Misleading the reader (red herrings): Introduce clues or scenarios that lead the reader down the wrong path occasionally.

Example: In Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None, the gradual revelation of each character’s dark past and the mysterious circumstances of their invitation to the island keeps readers guessing and changes their perceptions of the story as more information is revealed.

3. Use Cliffhangers

End your chapters on a note that compels the reader to start the next one immediately. A cliffhanger doesn’t always have to be a life-or-death situation—it can simply be an unresolved conversation, a significant discovery, or a major decision that needs to be made. This keeps the reader guessing and the pages turning.

Example: J.K. Rowling uses cliffhangers effectively at the end of many chapters in the Harry Potter series. For instance, the revelation that someone has opened the Chamber of Secrets again propels the plot into the next chapter with urgent momentum.

4. Create Deep, Mysterious Characters

Characters with secrets or contradictory traits add depth and intrigue. Introduce your characters with care, revealing their motivations and backstories gradually to maintain the mystery. Complex characters who are difficult to predict make the outcome less predictable and more intriguing.

Example: In Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, Amy Dunne’s character is revealed through diary entries and different points of view, creating a complex, layered mystery that leaves readers unsure of her true nature and intentions.

5. Set Up High Stakes

High stakes intensify suspense. If the outcome of the story doesn’t seem important, readers won’t care what happens next. Establish what is at risk early on, and keep raising the stakes. The higher the stakes, the more the reader will be committed to the narrative.

Example: In The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, the stakes are life and death—24 participants in a televised fight to the death where only one can survive. This high stake keeps readers engaged to find out who will survive.

6. Utilize Multiple Points of View

Using multiple viewpoints can enhance suspense by showing the reader scenes that the main characters might not be aware of. This technique also allows for deeper dives into the motivations and plans of various characters, increasing the complexity of the intrigue.

7. Pace Your Story Carefully

The rhythm of your story plays a crucial role in building suspense. Mixing fast-paced sequences with slower, more introspective sections can create a dynamic rhythm that holds readers’ interest. Keep the action and exposition well balanced to maintain momentum.

8. Incorporate the Setting as a Character

Your setting can contribute significantly to suspense and intrigue. A mysterious island, a creepy old house, or a bustling city full of secrets can all add layers of depth to your story. Describe settings in a way that they almost have their own personality and mysteries.

9. Experiment with Themes and Symbols

Using recurring themes or symbols throughout the story can create a sense of unity and depth. These can be tied to the central mystery or conflict, enhancing the overall atmosphere and adding layers of meaning to the story.

10. Edit for Tension

In your revisions, focus on tightening your narrative to enhance suspense. Remove any fluff that slows down the story’s pace or dilutes the tension. Ensure every chapter, scene, and line serves a purpose in advancing the plot or deepening the intrigue.

Conclusion

Incorporating suspense and intrigue isn’t just about adding complexity; it’s about engaging the reader’s emotions and intellect. It requires careful planning, pacing, and a deep understanding of narrative techniques. By mastering these elements, you can turn a straightforward story into an unforgettable adventure that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

So, as you write your next story, keep these tips in mind. They will not only enrich your narrative but also enhance your storytelling skills, allowing you to craft tales that linger in the minds of your readers long after the last page is turned.