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