Keep the reader emotionally invested in the outcome from "summary" of Plotting and Writing Suspense Fiction by Patricia Highsmith
To maintain tension in a suspenseful story, it is crucial to keep the reader emotionally invested in the outcome. The reader must care about what happens to the characters and be eager to find out how the story will unfold. One way to achieve this is by creating characters that are relatable and compelling, so that the reader feels connected to them and has a stake in their fate. Another important technique is to build suspense gradually, increasing the tension as the story progresses. This can be done through a series of escalating conflicts and obstacles that the characters must overcome, keeping the reader on edge and eager to see how they will resolve their predicament. By withholding information and creating uncertainty, the writer can keep the reader guessing and engaged in the story. It is also important to create a sense of urgency and stakes in the story, so that the reader feels the characters' desperation and is anxious to see how they will succeed or fail. By raising the stakes and making the consequences of failure dire, the writer can ensure that the reader is emotionally invested in the outcome and eager to see how it will all play out. In addition, it is essential to maintain a sense of mystery and intrigue throughout the story, keeping the reader guessing and curious about what will happen next. By introducing unexpected twists and turns, the writer can keep the reader on their toes and eager to see how the story will unfold. This sense of unpredictability adds to the suspense and keeps the reader emotionally engaged in the outcome.- By creating compelling characters, building tension gradually, raising the stakes, maintaining a sense of mystery, and introducing unexpected twists, the writer can keep the reader emotionally invested in the outcome of the story. This emotional engagement is crucial for building suspense and keeping the reader eagerly turning the pages to find out how it will all end.
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