Have you ever been so excited to find out what happens next in a story that you can't help but keep reading? That feeling of anticipation and excitement is known as suspense. It's a feeling of eagerness and curiosity that keeps us engaged in a narrative, whether it's a book, movie, or even real life. Suspense is derived from the old French word 'suspense', which means 'delay' or 'interruption'. It's the act of keeping someone in a state of waiting with enthusiasm or nervousness for something to happen.
Suspenseful narratives offer readers less intense experiences of emotions like pain, anger, and pleasure. At the same time, the cognitive aspects of suspense, such as riddles, questions, and problem solving, must be recognized for creating those anxious yet strangely pleasant feelings of anxiety. One of the safest forms of play is to follow a story. In mystery and suspense, the stakes are high enough to make the narrative seem engaging but not intolerable.
You may know someone who can't stand the suspense and would have to move on to the last chapter of a mystery novel to discover the ending. Anything that keeps you in a state of waiting with enthusiasm (or nervousness) for something to happen is full of suspense. Waiting for the scary turn at the end of a good book is full of suspense, and it can be thrilling to watch someone open a huge birthday present. Suspenseful moments can be found in everyday life too - like when you're waiting for an answer to your marriage proposal.
Suspense is an emotion that can be difficult to maintain for a long period of time. But when used correctly, it can be an effective tool for creating an engaging narrative that keeps readers hooked until the very end.
