Mastering Suspense, Structure, and Plot

1. Structure is the foundation of suspenseful storytelling

The only mistake you can make is having no structure at all.

Choose a compelling structure. Whether linear or nonlinear, your story's structure serves as the scaffolding upon which you build suspense. Consider using a chronological approach for simplicity and clarity, or a nonlinear structure for added complexity and drama. Experiment with techniques like:

• Bookends: Begin and end your story with the same motif for thematic symmetry
• Categories: Organize content by places, people, or events to aid understanding
• Flashbacks/Flash-forwards: Control information flow and tell multiple stories

Remember that structure should align with your theme and support your plot. Be willing to change your approach if it's not serving the story effectively.

2. Use Jane's Plotting Road Map to craft a compelling narrative

Jane's Plotting Road Map guarantees your story will be multilayered but not confusing.

Visualize your plot. Jane's Plotting Road Map is a tool to help you structure your story and maintain proper pacing. Key elements include:

• The highway: Represents your primary plot
• Service roads (SR1 and SR2): Represent your two subplots
• TRDs (Twists/Reversals/Dangers): Occur every 70-90 pages

Integrate subplot scenes approximately every 40 pages, alternating between SR1 and SR2. This approach ensures your story remains engaging and well-paced, with all plotlines converging seamlessly at the conclusion.

3. Integrate twists, reversals, and dangers (TRDs) to maintain reader engagement

The more inherent the suspense, the more harmonious the marriage of character and incident.

Keep readers on edge. TRDs are crucial elements for maintaining suspense and reader interest. Implement them strategically:

• Twists: Unexpected plot developments
• Reversals: Events that take the story in the opposite direction of expectations
• Dangers: Moments of heightened physical or emotional risk

Aim to include four TRDs in a 300-325 page book, occurring approximately every 70-90 pages. Ensure that each TRD flows organically from your characters and plot, avoiding contrived or coincidental events.

4. Create multidimensional characters through backstory and motivation

The more specific and idiosyncratic your character's attributes, the more robust and engaging your plots.

Develop complex characters. Use detailed character profiles to create believable, relatable individuals. Consider:

• Personal history and background
• Fears, desires, and motivations
• Quirks, idiosyncrasies, and flaws
• Relationships and conflicts

By understanding your characters deeply, you can craft more authentic reactions and decisions, leading to more engaging and suspenseful storylines.

5. Leverage settings to enhance atmosphere and tension

Don't merely describe hills and valleys and beaches and cityscapes; they want to read about experiences that could occur only at that place during that time.

Create immersive environments. Use setting to:

• Reflect characters' emotional states
• Foreshadow events
• Create contrast or emphasize themes

Integrate sensory details to bring settings to life:

• Sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and textures
• Character interactions with the environment
• Atmospheric elements that contribute to mood and tension

Remember to focus on details that are relevant to the plot or character development, avoiding excessive exposition.

6. Employ subplots to add depth and complexity to your story

Subplots should only be included if they serve a specific plot- or character-building purpose.

Enrich your narrative. Effective subplots:

• Add intricacy to the primary plot
• Reveal nuanced information about characters
• Mirror or contrast with the main storyline
• Provide opportunities for character growth

Integrate subplot scenes every 40 pages, alternating between two subplots (SR1 and SR2). Ensure that subplots:

• Include fully developed plotlines and characters
• Are resolved by the end of the story
• Never overtake the primary plot

7. Isolation as a powerful tool for building suspense

Isolating your protagonist—and everyone else.

Leverage loneliness. Use isolation to:

• Create vulnerability in characters
• Heighten tension and anxiety
• Reveal hidden aspects of personality

Types of isolation:

• Physical: Being physically separated from others
• Social: Feeling disconnected or ostracized

Incorporate isolation through:

• Setting choices (remote locations, empty buildings)
• Character backstories (trauma, social anxiety)
• Plot developments (being pursued, hiding from danger)

8. Use surprise sparingly to heighten tension and advance the plot

The best surprises add significant insights to the characters involved in that surprise while setting up future suspenseful situations.

Shock strategically. Effective surprises:

• Are unforeseen but logical within the story context
• Reveal character traits or motivations
• Lead to suspenseful situations

Implement surprises through:

• Unexpected events
• Revelations of previously unknown information
• Anomalies that challenge expectations

Avoid overusing surprises, as they can become predictable or disrupt the narrative flow. Instead, focus on building sustained tension and suspense.

9. Gradually reveal information to keep readers invested

To execute a slow reveal, you need to follow these steps:

Control information flow. Use techniques like:

1. Unreliable narrators: Characters whose credibility is questionable
2. Multiple perspectives: Showing events from different viewpoints
3. Layered revelations: Gradually uncovering truths about characters or situations

Steps for effective slow reveals:

1. Present a specific side of a character (positive or negative)
2. Select incidents that challenge this initial perception
3. Show the incident in an opposing light
4. Reveal the truth

This approach maintains reader interest and allows for complex character development.

10. Harness the power of fear and dread in your writing

Fear can serve as an early warning system to help us cope with danger.

Exploit primal emotions. Utilize fear and dread to:

• Create relatable characters
• Build tension and suspense
• Drive plot developments

Types of fear to explore:

• Universal fears (death, abandonment, powerlessness)
• Specific phobias
• Social anxieties

Techniques for writing fear and dread:

• Use sensory details to create vivid, immersive experiences
• Show physiological reactions (increased heart rate, sweating)
• Explore characters' internal thoughts and emotions
• Create situations that challenge characters' deepest fears

Remember that fear responses are highly individual, so tailor them to your specific characters and their backgrounds.

Last updated: November 10, 2024