https://www.authorlearningcenter.com/writing/i-have-an-idea/w/choosing-your-topic/1946/genre-basics---suspense---articleen-USTelligent Community 10https://www.authorlearningcenter.com/writing/i-have-an-idea/w/choosing-your-topic/1946/genre-basics---suspense---articleThu, 16 May 2019 15:08:48 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:58678c64-fa6b-4936-8b0a-db0029c96619Author Learning Centerhttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/writing/i-have-an-idea/w/choosing-your-topic/1946/genre-basics---suspense---article#commentsCurrent Revision posted to Choosing Your Topic by Author Learning Center on 5/16/2019 3:08:48 PM<br /> <h2>What is a Suspense Novel?</h2> <p>The suspense genre is closely related to a <span><a href="/writing/i-have-an-idea/w/choosing-your-topic/1980/genre-basics---mystery---article">mystery</a></span> or <span><a href="/writing/i-have-an-idea/w/choosing-your-topic/2890/genre-basics---thrillers---article">thriller</a></span>, which can make it difficult to classify. Often, the three <a href="/writing/i-have-an-idea/w/choosing-your-topic/1777/genre-basics---what-is-a-genre---article">genres</a> are lumped together by publishers and classified as Mystery/Suspense or Suspense/Thriller, but other times they are kept separate. So how do you know if you&rsquo;re writing a suspense novel?</p> <p>In general, &ldquo;suspense&rdquo; refers to the sense of worry or anticipation a reader feels when reading. This means, in general, all mysteries and thrillers contain suspense. What differentiates them is the type of suspense that is created throughout your story.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Suspense vs. Mystery vs. Thriller</h2> <p>In a <span><a href="/writing/i-have-an-idea/w/choosing-your-topic/1980/genre-basics---mystery---article">mystery</a></span>, the plot normally centers on a protagonist trying to get to the bottom of a crime. Because the reader is aware of the same information as the detective, there is often a lower level of suspense compared to other genres. The majority of suspense in mystery novels comes from clues that mislead readers and the anticipation for solving the mystery.&nbsp;</p> <p>In a <span><a href="/writing/i-have-an-idea/w/choosing-your-topic/2890/genre-basics---thrillers---article">thriller</a></span>, the protagonist is suspended in an almost constant state of danger. These stories create suspense more because of their quick-pace than the building of plot. Unlike mystery, thrillers are not about solving a puzzle, but rather about the pressure of high-stakes scenarios.&nbsp;</p> <p>In a suspense novel, the sense of worry or anticipation is very high because the reader is aware of things that the protagonist is not. This creates even more anxiety in the reader, causing the novel to be more suspenseful than a mystery or thriller.</p> <p>Despite their differences, it is very possible that your book may fall into two&mdash;maybe even all three&mdash;of these categories. That&rsquo;s normal. Most Mystery/Thriller/Suspense novels blur the lines between these genres, which is why it can be so difficult to categorize them.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>5 Elements of a Suspense Novel</h2> <p>Now that you know if you&rsquo;re writing a suspense novel, let&rsquo;s determine what makes a good one. There are a handful of things you&rsquo;ll need to get right if you want to keep a reader turning the page.</p> <h4>1. Conflict</h4> <p>Every novel needs <span><a href="/writing/fiction/w/creating-conflict/7205/tips-for-successfully-implementing-conflict-in-a-story">conflict</a></span>, and it&rsquo;s also incredibly important for building suspense. Whether your story is about trying to solve a murder or a protagonist trying to save the human population from extinction, this conflict will be the center of what makes your reader eager to find out what happens. You can also have smaller conflicts that build off of your main conflict to build even more suspense around your plot.</p> <h4>2. Pacing</h4> <p>The <span><a href="/writing/fiction/w/creating-conflict/2968/novel-building-blocks-what-is-pacing---article">pace of your novel</a></span> is another important component to building suspense. If your plot is unfolding too slowly or you&rsquo;re taking too much time on small details that don&rsquo;t enhance your conflict, readers will stop feeling the need to keep turning the page&mdash;thus lowering the feeling of suspense in your story. Build more suspense with quick pacing, such as giving your conflict a deadline or a short time limit to solve the problem.</p> <h4>3. Red herrings</h4> <p>Red herrings are clues in your story that mislead readers. These are extremely important in suspense because they send your readers down incorrect paths and keep them from solving the mystery before the end.</p> <h4>4. Atmosphere</h4> <p>The mood and tone of your novel are things that will affect how readers feel when they read your book. <span><a href="/writing/fiction/w/setting/2965/novel-building-blocks-setting---article">Where your story is set</a></span> and the atmosphere it brings to the overall plotline will help build suspense in your novel. For example, setting your story in a dark, abandoned building will make readers feel more on-edge than a busy theme park on a sunny day.&nbsp;</p> <h4>5. High stakes</h4> <p>Similar to conflict and time, you need your story to have high stakes if you want it to be suspenseful. If your entire story revolves around a character losing $5, your readers won&rsquo;t care much about the outcome. However, if it involves something serious like the difference between life and death, your readers will be desperate to know what happens!</p> <blockquote> <p>To learn more about genres, whether you need them, and how to choose the right one, make sure to check out our comprehensive article on <a href="/writing/i-have-an-idea/w/choosing-your-topic/1777/genre-basics---what-is-a-genre---article">The Basics of Genre</a>.</p> </blockquote><div style="clear:both;"></div> <div style="font-size: 90%;">Tags: Mystery – Thriller – Suspense, article, fiction</div> https://www.authorlearningcenter.com/writing/i-have-an-idea/w/choosing-your-topic/1946/genre-basics---suspense---article/revision/4Fri, 10 May 2019 12:01:56 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:58678c64-fa6b-4936-8b0a-db0029c96619Author Learning Centerhttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/writing/i-have-an-idea/w/choosing-your-topic/1946/genre-basics---suspense---article#commentsRevision 4 posted to Choosing Your Topic by Author Learning Center on 5/10/2019 12:01:56 PM<br /> <h2>What is a Suspense Novel?</h2> <p>The suspense genre is closely related to a <span><a href="/writing/i-have-an-idea/w/choosing-your-topic/1980/genre-basics---mystery---article">mystery</a></span> or <span><a href="/writing/i-have-an-idea/w/choosing-your-topic/2890/genre-basics---thrillers---article">thriller</a></span>, which can make it difficult to classify. Often, the three <a href="/writing/i-have-an-idea/w/choosing-your-topic/1777/genre-basics---what-is-a-genre---article">genres</a> are lumped together by publishers and classified as Mystery/Suspense or Suspense/Thriller, but other times they are kept separate. So how do you know if you&rsquo;re writing a suspense novel?</p> <p>In general, &ldquo;suspense&rdquo; refers to the sense of worry or anticipation a reader feels when reading. This means, in general, all mysteries and thrillers contain suspense. What differentiates them is the type of suspense that is created throughout your story.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Suspense vs. Mystery vs. Thriller</h2> <p>In a <span><a href="/writing/i-have-an-idea/w/choosing-your-topic/1980/genre-basics---mystery---article">mystery</a></span>, the plot normally centers on a protagonist trying to get to the bottom of a crime. Because the reader is aware of the same information as the detective, there is often a lower level of suspense compared to other genres. The majority of suspense in mystery novels comes from clues that mislead readers and the anticipation for solving the mystery.&nbsp;</p> <p>In a <span><a href="/writing/i-have-an-idea/w/choosing-your-topic/2890/genre-basics---thrillers---article">thriller</a></span>, the protagonist is suspended in an almost constant state of danger. These stories create suspense more because of their quick-pace than the building of plot. Unlike mystery, thrillers are not about solving a puzzle, but rather about the pressure of high-stakes scenarios.&nbsp;</p> <p>In a suspense novel, the sense of worry or anticipation is very high because the reader is aware of things that the protagonist is not. This creates even more anxiety in the reader, causing the novel to be more suspenseful than a mystery or thriller.</p> <p>Despite their differences, it is very possible that your book may fall into two&mdash;maybe even all three&mdash;of these categories. That&rsquo;s normal. Most Mystery/Thriller/Suspense novels blur the lines between these genres, which is why it can be so difficult to categorize them.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>5 Elements of a Suspense Novel</h2> <p>Now that you know if you&rsquo;re writing a suspense novel, let&rsquo;s determine what makes a good one. There are a handful of things you&rsquo;ll need to get right if you want to keep a reader turning the page.</p> <h4>1. Conflict</h4> <p>Every novel needs <span><a href="/writing/fiction/w/creating-conflict/7205/tips-for-successfully-implementing-conflict-in-a-story">conflict</a></span>, and it&rsquo;s also incredibly important for building suspense. Whether your story is about trying to solve a murder or a protagonist trying to save the human population from extinction, this conflict will be the center of what makes your reader eager to find out what happens. You can also have smaller conflicts that build off of your main conflict to build even more suspense around your plot.</p> <h4>2. Pacing</h4> <p>The <span><a href="/writing/fiction/w/creating-conflict/2968/novel-building-blocks-what-is-pacing---article">pace of your novel</a></span> is another important component to building suspense. If your plot is unfolding too slowly or you&rsquo;re taking too much time on small details that don&rsquo;t enhance your conflict, readers will stop feeling the need to keep turning the page&mdash;thus lowering the feeling of suspense in your story. Build more suspense with quick pacing, such as giving your conflict a deadline or a short time limit to solve the problem.</p> <h4>3. Red herrings</h4> <p>Red herrings are clues in your story that mislead readers. These are extremely important in suspense because they send your readers down incorrect paths and keep them from solving the mystery before the end.</p> <h4>4. Atmosphere</h4> <p>The mood and tone of your novel are things that will affect how readers feel when they read your book. <span><a href="/writing/fiction/w/setting/2965/novel-building-blocks-setting---article">Where your story is set</a></span> and the atmosphere it brings to the overall plotline will help build suspense in your novel. For example, setting your story in a dark, abandoned building will make readers feel more on-edge than a busy theme park on a sunny day.&nbsp;</p> <h4>5. High stakes</h4> <p>Similar to conflict and time, you need your story to have high stakes if you want it to be suspenseful. If your entire story revolves around a character losing $5, your readers won&rsquo;t care much about the outcome. However, if it involves something serious like the difference between life and death, your readers will be desperate to know what happens!</p><div style="clear:both;"></div> <div style="font-size: 90%;">Tags: Mystery – Thriller – Suspense, article, fiction</div> https://www.authorlearningcenter.com/writing/i-have-an-idea/w/choosing-your-topic/1946/genre-basics---suspense---article/revision/3Thu, 09 May 2019 19:55:10 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:58678c64-fa6b-4936-8b0a-db0029c96619Author Learning Centerhttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/writing/i-have-an-idea/w/choosing-your-topic/1946/genre-basics---suspense---article#commentsRevision 3 posted to Choosing Your Topic by Author Learning Center on 5/9/2019 7:55:10 PM<br /> <h2>What is a Suspense Novel?</h2> <p>The suspense genre is closely related to a <span><a href="/writing/i-have-an-idea/w/choosing-your-topic/1980/genre-basics---mystery---article">mystery</a></span> or <span><a href="/writing/i-have-an-idea/w/choosing-your-topic/2890/genre-basics---thrillers---article">thriller</a></span>, which can make it difficult to classify. Often, the three genres are lumped together by publishers and classified as Mystery/Suspense or Suspense/Thriller, but other times they are kept separate. So how do you know if you&rsquo;re writing a suspense novel?</p> <p>In general, &ldquo;suspense&rdquo; refers to the sense of worry or anticipation a reader feels when reading. This means, in general, all mysteries and thrillers contain suspense. What differentiates them is the type of suspense that is created throughout your story.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Suspense vs. Mystery vs. Thriller</h2> <p>In a <span><a href="/writing/i-have-an-idea/w/choosing-your-topic/1980/genre-basics---mystery---article">mystery</a></span>, the plot normally centers on a protagonist trying to get to the bottom of a crime. Because the reader is aware of the same information as the detective, there is often a lower level of suspense compared to other genres. The majority of suspense in mystery novels comes from clues that mislead readers and the anticipation for solving the mystery.&nbsp;</p> <p>In a <span><a href="/writing/i-have-an-idea/w/choosing-your-topic/2890/genre-basics---thrillers---article">thriller</a></span>, the protagonist is suspended in an almost constant state of danger. These stories create suspense more because of their quick-pace than the building of plot. Unlike mystery, thrillers are not about solving a puzzle, but rather about the pressure of high-stakes scenarios.&nbsp;</p> <p>In a suspense novel, the sense of worry or anticipation is very high because the reader is aware of things that the protagonist is not. This creates even more anxiety in the reader, causing the novel to be more suspenseful than a mystery or thriller.</p> <p>Despite their differences, it is very possible that your book may fall into two&mdash;maybe even all three&mdash;of these categories. That&rsquo;s normal. Most Mystery/Thriller/Suspense novels blur the lines between these genres, which is why it can be so difficult to categorize them.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>5 Elements of a Suspense Novel</h2> <p>Now that you know if you&rsquo;re writing a suspense novel, let&rsquo;s determine what makes a good one. There are a handful of things you&rsquo;ll need to get right if you want to keep a reader turning the page.</p> <h4>1. Conflict</h4> <p>Every novel needs <span><a href="/writing/fiction/w/creating-conflict/7205/tips-for-successfully-implementing-conflict-in-a-story">conflict</a></span>, and it&rsquo;s also incredibly important for building suspense. Whether your story is about trying to solve a murder or a protagonist trying to save the human population from extinction, this conflict will be the center of what makes your reader eager to find out what happens. You can also have smaller conflicts that build off of your main conflict to build even more suspense around your plot.</p> <h4>2. Pacing</h4> <p>The <span><a href="/writing/fiction/w/creating-conflict/2968/novel-building-blocks-what-is-pacing---article">pace of your novel</a></span> is another important component to building suspense. If your plot is unfolding too slowly or you&rsquo;re taking too much time on small details that don&rsquo;t enhance your conflict, readers will stop feeling the need to keep turning the page&mdash;thus lowering the feeling of suspense in your story. Build more suspense with quick pacing, such as giving your conflict a deadline or a short time limit to solve the problem.</p> <h4>3. Red herrings</h4> <p>Red herrings are clues in your story that mislead readers. These are extremely important in suspense because they send your readers down incorrect paths and keep them from solving the mystery before the end.</p> <h4>4. Atmosphere</h4> <p>The mood and tone of your novel are things that will affect how readers feel when they read your book. <span><a href="/writing/fiction/w/setting/2965/novel-building-blocks-setting---article">Where your story is set</a></span> and the atmosphere it brings to the overall plotline will help build suspense in your novel. For example, setting your story in a dark, abandoned building will make readers feel more on-edge than a busy theme park on a sunny day.&nbsp;</p> <h4>5. High stakes</h4> <p>Similar to conflict and time, you need your story to have high stakes if you want it to be suspenseful. If your entire story revolves around a character losing $5, your readers won&rsquo;t care much about the outcome. However, if it involves something serious like the difference between life and death, your readers will be desperate to know what happens!</p><div style="clear:both;"></div> <div style="font-size: 90%;">Tags: Mystery – Thriller – Suspense, article, fiction</div> https://www.authorlearningcenter.com/writing/i-have-an-idea/w/choosing-your-topic/1946/genre-basics---suspense---article/revision/2Fri, 10 Mar 2017 15:08:28 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:58678c64-fa6b-4936-8b0a-db0029c96619Nicole Lindensteinhttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/writing/i-have-an-idea/w/choosing-your-topic/1946/genre-basics---suspense---article#commentsRevision 2 posted to Choosing Your Topic by Nicole Lindenstein on 3/10/2017 3:08:28 PM<br /> <p>Suspense is a genre that keeps readers on the edge of their seats and the pages turning. The manuscript length is between 70-90K words. The stereotypical audience for the suspense genre is a man, though there are serious female suspense fans, too. The suspense genre is similar to the mystery category. Mystery differs in that the action usually centers in the time leading up to the critical event, rather than starting when the critical event happens and trying to solve the crime (assuming that&rsquo;s the event) after the fact. The suspense comes from the anxiety that things won&rsquo;t get resolved in time and the villain&rsquo;s evil plan will work out.</p> <p>The characters in suspense novels are very straightforward and might even be a little bit more dramatic than those of their cousins, the mystery characters. In a mystery, the protagonist is trying to identify the antagonist, but in the suspense novel the protagonist usually knows &ndash; or has an idea, at least &ndash; who the villain is and is trying to catch him.</p> <p>A few very popular suspense writers include Robert Ludlum (of the Jason Bourne series), Tom Clancy, and John Grisham. While it isn&rsquo;t unheard of to have a female protagonist in this genre, the most typical protagonist is a male, and he is working against his foe from the outset of the story. The goal in writing a suspense novel is to keep your audience engaged and involved in the story because you want them to turn the next page in an almost frenzied state. Your audience is dying to find out if the hero saves the day at the end of the story as quickly as possible.</p><div style="clear:both;"></div> <div style="font-size: 90%;">Tags: Mystery – Thriller – Suspense, article, fiction</div> https://www.authorlearningcenter.com/writing/i-have-an-idea/w/choosing-your-topic/1946/genre-basics---suspense---article/revision/1Wed, 14 Dec 2016 00:00:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:58678c64-fa6b-4936-8b0a-db0029c96619Nicole Lindensteinhttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/writing/i-have-an-idea/w/choosing-your-topic/1946/genre-basics---suspense---article#commentsRevision 1 posted to Choosing Your Topic by Nicole Lindenstein on 12/14/2016 12:00:00 AM<br /> <p>Suspense is a genre that keeps readers on the edge of their seats and the pages turning. The manuscript length is between 70-90K words. The stereotypical audience for the suspense genre is a man, though there are serious female suspense fans, too. The suspense genre is similar to the mystery category. Mystery differs in that the action usually centers in the time leading up to the critical event, rather than starting when the critical event happens and trying to solve the crime (assuming that’s the event) after the fact. The suspense comes from the anxiety that things won’t get resolved in time and the villain’s evil plan will work out.</p> <p>The characters in suspense novels are very straightforward and might even be a little bit more dramatic than those of their cousins, the mystery characters. In a mystery, the protagonist is trying to identify the antagonist, but in the suspense novel the protagonist usually knows – or has an idea, at least – who the villain is and is trying to catch him.</p> <p>A few very popular suspense writers include Robert Ludlum (of the Jason Bourne series), Tom Clancy, and John Grisham. While it isn’t unheard of to have a female protagonist in this genre, the most typical protagonist is a male, and he is working against his foe from the outset of the story. The goal in writing a suspense novel is to keep your audience engaged and involved in the story because you want them to turn the next page in an almost frenzied state. Your audience is dying to find out if the hero saves the day at the end of the story as quickly as possible.</p><div style="clear:both;"></div> <div style="font-size: 90%;">Tags: Mystery – Thriller – Suspense, article, fiction</div>