Narrative suspense is a literary device used to create tension and keep readers engaged throughout a story. It is a state of mental uncertainty, anxiety, indecision, or doubt that builds up as the plot progresses. Authors use suspense to make readers more concerned with the characters and form a comprehensive partnership with them. Suspense can be created in a number of different ways and is often found in thrillers, mysteries, and horror fiction. To create suspense, authors pose a question, problem, or mystery at the beginning of the book.
As the plot progresses, more information is shared about it until it is resolved near the climax or the end. This creates a sense of anticipation that something risky or dangerous is about to happen. Closely related to short-term suspense, horrible suspense is when the reader or audience expects something terrible to happen. Suspense is genre-dependent and is used intentionally, mainly in the genres of thriller, mystery and horror fiction. It can also be vaguely applied to other genres such as fantasy, romance or drama.
Suspense doesn't have to end with a big release; it can go on forever as long as the audience is left with doubts. When writing suspenseful stories, authors should remember that they are creating an expectation and are fulfilling or subverting it. They should also consider stretching an elastic band until it is thin and brittle. If it's obvious that no one will get hurt if a character dies and is shot off screen, then there's no real suspense (in most cases).In conclusion, suspense is an important resource for obtaining and maintaining interest in dramatic works. It creates a state of mental uncertainty, anxiety, indecision, or doubt that builds up throughout history.
Suspense can be created in a number of different ways and is often found in thrillers, mysteries, and horror fiction.
