Use unreliable narrators to create doubt from "summary" of Plotting and Writing Suspense Fiction by Patricia Highsmith
One effective technique to keep readers on the edge of their seats is to employ narrators who are not entirely trustworthy. By using unreliable narrators, authors can sow seeds of doubt in the minds of readers, leading them to question the veracity of the story being told. This uncertainty creates a sense of unease and keeps readers engaged as they try to piece together the truth from the web of deception woven by the narrator. Unreliable narrators can take many forms, from characters who are deliberately deceptive to those who are simply mistaken or delusional. Regardless of the reason for their unreliability, these narrators introduce an element of unpredictability to the story. As readers are kept in the dark about the true motivations and intentions of the narrator, they are forced to constantly reevaluate what they think they...
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