Suspense is a feeling of excited anticipation. It's the kind of waiting that keeps you on the edge of your seat, wondering what will happen next. Whether it's a marriage proposal, a sporting event, or a court drama, suspense is an essential element in any well-told story. Let's take a closer look at what suspense is and why it works so well. At its core, suspense is about making predictions.
It's about taking the clues and information provided and using them to anticipate what will happen next. Harper Lee's classic novel To Kill a Mockingbird is full of suspense as readers wonder about the mysterious neighbor Boo Radley and follow the court drama to discover the outcome when Scout's father defends an accused rapist. Similarly, Sophocles' Oedipus Rex is largely based on suspense as readers move forward to learn how the tragic hero will fulfill the prophecy that predicts he will kill his father and marry his mother. Curiosity generates questions, but without the accompanying data that allows the reader to predict and anticipate, it does not reach the level of suspense. For example, when Joslyn was about to do something unexpected, her friends were filled with suspense and anticipation.
And if you want to bring the suspense to a head, imagine a situation where your little girl has been kidnapped and the captor demands that your son's team win the game or you'll never see her again. Suspense is an indispensable element in any story. It keeps readers engaged and eager to know what will happen next. Mysteries, thrillers, and thrillers dominate the box office, bookstores, and streaming services year after year because they rely on suspense to keep audiences hooked. The three modalities that entertain readers and move stories forward are curiosity, surprise, and suspense.
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