Incorporate dramatic irony for tension from "summary" of Plotting and Writing Suspense Fiction by Patricia Highsmith
One effective technique to create tension in suspense fiction is to use dramatic irony. Dramatic irony occurs when the reader knows something that the characters in the story do not. This can create a sense of unease and anticipation as the reader watches events unfold, knowing the potential dangers that the characters are unaware of. By incorporating dramatic irony into your plot, you can keep the reader engaged and on the edge of their seat. For example, if the reader knows that a character is walking into a dangerous situation, but the character does not, the tension is heightened as the reader waits for the inevitable moment of realization. This creates a sense of suspense and urgency that drives the narrative forward. Dramatic irony can also be used to build suspense by foreshadowing future events. By hinting at what is to come, you can create a sense of foreboding that keeps the reader hooked and eager to see how things will unfold. This can be especially effective when the reader is given glimpses of a character's inner thoughts or motivations that other characters are unaware of. Incorporating dramatic irony into your writing requires careful planning and execution. You must strategically reveal information to the reader in a way that enhances the tension without giving too much away. This can involve hinting at secrets, using unreliable narrators, or creating situations where the reader has more information than the characters.- Using dramatic irony in your suspense fiction can add depth and complexity to your plot, keeping readers engaged and eager to see how events will unfold. By strategically revealing information and creating a sense of anticipation, you can build tension that will keep readers turning pages until the very end.
