They can also use external factors to create suspense. In a story where a secret relationship is not allowed due to social status or family expectations, the threat of discovery is always there. Every encounter between the characters in secret becomes tense. The author may also introduce characters who might accidentally or purposely expose the relationship, like a nosy neighbor or a jealous rival. This keeps the reader on edge, constantly worried about the relationship being found out.
Authors often use secrecy and hidden emotions. For example, they might have the characters keep their feelings to themselves for a long time. In a "secret relationship novel", the characters may act one way in public but have completely different feelings in private. This contrast builds suspense as the reader wonders when and how these hidden feelings will be revealed.
Authors often start with a sudden disappearance. For example, in 'Gone Girl', the wife just vanishes without a trace. They also use red herrings. They introduce false leads that misdirect the reader and the characters in the story. In many such fictions, the description of the missing person's life before they disappeared is also used to build suspense. If the person had secrets or a complex life, it makes the reader wonder if those factors led to their disappearance.
The conflicts in the novel create suspense mainly through a sense of mystery and danger. You never know how the characters will handle the difficult situations they face, and that keeps you engaged and eager to find out.
One way to build suspense is by creating a sense of mystery. Keep the readers guessing about what's going to happen next. Drop hints and clues along the way but don't reveal everything at once.
They often create suspense by hiding the true feelings of the characters. For example, in a novel where one character is secretly in love with another, the reader is kept in suspense wondering when or if that character will reveal their feelings. Another way is through external factors like family or society. If the relationship is secret because it goes against the family's wishes or social norms, the reader is on edge waiting to see if they will be discovered.
You can start by leaving hints and clues throughout the story. Don't reveal everything at once. Make the readers keep guessing and wanting to know more.
Undercover detective novels build suspense by hiding the true identity of the detective or the villain. For example, in many novels, the undercover detective has to blend in with the bad guys without being detected. This creates a constant sense of danger. Also, the slow revelation of clues and the unexpected twists keep the reader on the edge of their seat. The reader is always wondering if the detective will be found out or if they will be able to solve the case before it's too late.
You can build suspense by creating uncertainty about what will happen next. Maybe introduce mysterious characters or situations and don't reveal all the details at once.
Authors often create suspense by leaving the readers in the dark about key details or outcomes. They might introduce time limits or build up to a big reveal slowly.
They use a slow - paced narrative. By gradually revealing details about the mystery or the threat, they keep the readers on edge.
The pacing is crucial in building suspense. The plot moves in a way that alternates between revelations and new mysteries. For example, just when the detective seems to be getting close to the truth, a new piece of evidence emerges that throws everything into question again, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat throughout the entire novel.