Build suspense through unanswered questions from "summary" of Plotting and Writing Suspense Fiction by Patricia Highsmith
To create suspense in your writing, it is important to leave certain questions unanswered. By withholding key pieces of information from the reader, you can keep them on edge and eager to uncover the truth. Suspense thrives on uncertainty, on the unknown. When the reader is left wondering about certain details, they are more likely to become invested in the story and the outcome. One way to build suspense through unanswered questions is to introduce mysterious characters or events that leave the reader questioning their motives or significance. By keeping certain aspects of the plot shrouded in mystery, you can create a sense of unease and anticipation. The reader will be compelled to keep reading in order to unravel the secrets that have been hinted at but not fully revealed. Another effective technique is to raise questions about the protagonist's past or motivations. By hinting at a dark or troubled history, you can create a sense of foreboding that will keep the reader guessing. By slowly revealing more about the character's past as the story progresses, you can deepen the sense of intrigue and keep the reader engaged. Unanswered questions can also be used to create suspense around the central conflict of the story. By leaving certain details ambiguous or unresolved, you can keep the reader guessing about how the conflict will be resolved and what the ultimate outcome will be. This sense of uncertainty and tension will drive the narrative forward and keep the reader hooked until the very end.- By strategically withholding information and leaving key questions unanswered, you can create a sense of suspense that will keep your readers engaged and eager to uncover the truth. By introducing mysterious characters, raising questions about the protagonist's past, and leaving the central conflict unresolved, you can build tension and anticipation that will propel your story forward and leave a lasting impact on the reader.
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