Want readers to think your story is unputdownable? Follow these tips to crank up the suspense.

1. Stakes & Suspense:
make your story unputdownable
Bruce Hale

2. What is Suspense?

3. What is Suspense?
Umm... Dad?

4. What is Suspense?

5. What is Suspense?
The anxiety you get when you expect that...
Something will happen

6. What are Stakes?
The feeling that something vital is at risk
What your character has to gain/lose

7. The Bomb Under
The Table
“There is no terror in the bang, only in the
anticipation of it.” — Alfred Hitchcock

8. A giveaway!
Your card (or name
& email address)
Chance to win
prizes!

9. 7 Ways to build
Suspense

10. 1. Start with
Character

11. 1. Start with
Character
1. What does she want?
2. What prevents her from getting it?
3. What character traits will trip her up?

12. 2. Set the Hook

13. 2. Set the Hook
Humor

14. 2. Set the Hook
Humor
Surprise

15. 2. Set the Hook
Humor
Surprise
Plunge

16. 2. Set the Hook
Humor
Surprise
Plunge
Question

17. 2. Set the Hook
Humor
Surprise
Plunge
Question
Foreshadowing

18. 3. Up the
Uh-oh Factor
(raise the stakes)

19. Ask: How can I
make it
WORSE?

20. 4. Thicken the plot

21. 4. Thicken the plot

22. 4. Thicken the plot
Use the Ticking Clock

23. 4. Thicken the plot
Use the Ticking Clock
Do the Unexpected

24. 4. Thicken the plot
Use the Ticking Clock
Do the Unexpected
Foreshadow

25. 4. Thicken the plot
Use the Ticking Clock
Do the Unexpected
Foreshadow
Remember Pacing

26. 5. Merrily Misdirect

27. 6. Conceal...

28. 6. Conceal...
& Reveal

29. a giveaway!
CDs also available at www.BruceHaleWritingTips.com

30. 7. Take a tip
From Frank

31. Stakes & Suspense:
make your story unputdownable
Bruce Hale
www.brucehalewritingtips.com