7 Elements of Suspense: How to Create a Thrilling Story

Creating a thrilling story is an art form, and suspense is one of the most important elements to master. It's not just a genre, but an element of fiction that helps readers to read the story carefully and to return to it more and more. To achieve this, you need to incorporate compassionate characters, making nervousness an imminent threat to the characters and increasing emotion. Here are the 7 elements of suspense that will help you create a captivating story.

1.Establish a Goal

The protagonist of your story should have a goal they are trying to achieve.

This goal should be something that is important to them and that they are willing to fight for. It should be something that readers can relate to and root for. This will help create an emotional connection between the protagonist and the reader.

2.Introduce Conflict

Conflict is essential for creating suspense in your story. It should be something that stands in the way of your protagonist achieving their goal.

This could be an external force such as a villain or an internal struggle such as fear or doubt. The conflict should be unpredictable and keep readers guessing.

3.Create Tension

Tension is what keeps readers engaged in your story. It should be built up gradually throughout the story, with each obstacle becoming more difficult than the last. This will keep readers on the edge of their seats as they wait to see how the protagonist will overcome each challenge.

4.Use Red Herrings

Red herrings are clues that lead readers in the wrong direction.

They can be used to create suspense by making readers think they know what is going to happen next, only to be surprised when something else happens instead. This will keep readers guessing and make them eager to find out what happens next.

5.Increase the Stakes

The stakes should be raised as the story progresses. This means that each obstacle should have higher stakes than the last, making it more difficult for the protagonist to achieve their goal. This will create tension and suspense as readers worry about whether or not the protagonist will succeed.

6.Create Cliffhangers

Cliffhangers are a great way to keep readers hooked on your story.

They should be used sparingly, but when used correctly they can create suspense by leaving readers wondering what will happen next. This will make them eager to find out what happens in the next chapter.

7.Use Your Villain

Your villain can be used to confuse your hero's progress and create suspense in your story. They should be unpredictable and have their own agenda that stands in opposition to your protagonist's goal. This will make it difficult for your protagonist to achieve their goal and keep readers guessing.