The Elements of Suspense

1. The Elements of Suspense

2. Plot Character Setting Dialogue Narrative All Stories Contain Certain Elements

3. Suspense Anxiety or apprehension resulting from an uncertain, undecided, or mysterious situation Dictionary.com

4. In suspense there must be an unknown; a suspicion, a mystery, a danger we expect

5. Suspense(mystery, intrigue, tension)is built with: • Facts • Innuendo • Atmosphere • Action

6. Ways to deepen suspense… Dreams • foreshadowing what may happen • showing the character’sdeepest fears, his haunting past

7. Ways to deepen suspense… Clues • journals / diaries / letters / notes / pictures, etc. • physical evidence that can be used to determine time of death, how, and where

8. Ways to deepen suspense… The Weather • the season can match or contrast the characters’ emotional state

9. Ways to deepen suspense… The Senses • the smell of blood, the stench of an alley • the taste of fear • reaction to finding a dead body • the feel of blood-soaked clothing

10. Ways to deepen suspense… The Villain • his/her motivations or intentions • simple greed, jealousy, money • the complicated serial killer mind

11. Ways to deepen suspense… Other characters • plant red herrings • shift suspicion onto them