Use psychological manipulation to heighten suspense from "summary" of Plotting and Writing Suspense Fiction by Patricia Highsmith
To keep the suspense at its highest level in a story, it is essential to use psychological manipulation on the reader. This can be achieved by providing information selectively to the reader, creating a sense of uncertainty and mystery. By controlling what the reader knows and when they know it, the writer can create a feeling of tension and anticipation. One way to manipulate the reader psychologically is by using unreliable narrators. These narrators may withhold information, distort the truth, or have their own biases that influence how events are portrayed. This can create a sense of doubt and unease in the reader, as they are unsure of what to believe. Another technique to heighten suspense is to create complex and ambiguous characters. By giving characters conflicting motivations or ambiguous morals, the writer can keep the reader guessing about their true intentions. This adds layers of depth to the story and creates a sense of unpredictability. Furthermore, manipulating the reader's emotions can also be effective in heightening suspense. By creating sympathetic characters that the reader cares about, the writer can increase the stakes of the story and make the reader more emotionally invested. This emotional connection can make the suspense feel more intense and personal. In addition, playing with the reader's expectations can also be a powerful tool in manipulating suspense. By setting up certain expectations and then subverting them, the writer can create surprising twists and turns that keep the reader on edge. This unpredictability can make the story more engaging and thrilling.- By using psychological manipulation techniques such as controlling information, creating unreliable narrators, developing complex characters, manipulating emotions, and subverting expectations, a writer can effectively heighten suspense in their story. These techniques keep the reader engaged and create a sense of tension and anticipation that drives the narrative forward.
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