Suspense is one of the most powerful tools in storytelling. It keeps readers glued to the page, hearts racing, eyes widening — waiting for what comes next.
But great suspense isn’t about jump scares or shocking twists. It’s about control, timing, and crafting tension that grows naturally from the story.
Screenwriters and thriller writers at this week’s creative session shared their best techniques for creating suspense that truly lands.
Start With a Simple Question
Every suspense moment begins with a question — one that the reader urgently wants answered.
Examples:
- What’s behind the door?
- Why is the phone not ringing back?
- Who followed her into the parking lot?
When the audience knows something is off, but not what, suspense begins.
Reveal Information Slowly
A major mistake writers make is revealing too much too soon.
Suspense is strongest when the writer controls the pace of information.
Try:
- Revealing one clue at a time
- Allowing characters to misunderstand a situation
- Letting the audience see danger before the characters do
- Keeping stakes clear but solutions hidden
The slower the reveal, the higher the tension — as long as the reader trusts you’re leading somewhere meaningful.
Use Emotion, Not Just Action
Suspense isn’t only physical danger — it’s emotional danger too.
- A secret about to be exposed
- A relationship on the edge
- A difficult decision with major consequences
- A lie that might unravel
Daniel Rivera notes that suspense is strongest when the reader cares deeply about what’s at risk.
Control Your Pacing
Short sentences.
Tight dialogue.
Sharp beats.
Quick cuts.
These create the breathless feeling we associate with suspense.
But pacing can also slow down before a big moment — allowing the audience to feel the weight of what’s coming.
Great suspense has a rhythm: fast → slow → quiet → explosion.
Build Atmosphere With Detail
The environment can build tension even more than the plot:
- A flickering hallway light
- A distant door slamming
- Footsteps on wet pavement
- Silence that lasts a little too long
These sensory details make the reader feel the scene physically.
Surprise Without Cheating
A suspense twist should be surprising — but also fair.
Writers can:
- Plant clues early
- Hide them behind distraction
- Let characters misinterpret details
- Reveal the truth at the worst possible moment
The best twists feel earned, not random.
Final Thoughts
Suspense is about anticipation, not shock.
It’s about guiding the audience’s emotions step by step until the moment hits.
As Daniel Rivera says:
“Suspense isn’t about scaring people. It’s about making them care enough to be scared.”