You’ve jump started your story with an inciting incident, and home world (maybe not in that order, but definitely in the first chapter) and now you need to write…Chapter 2. Last week we talked about the considerations in crafting Chapter 1. To see the checklist, click here. And, to catch up with the story to date…Chapter 1, Scene 1 Kenzie, Chapter 1 Scene 1 Luke That first chapter is key for pulling your reader into the story. They need to like the characters (and worry about them) enough to keep reading to chapter 2. But now, you need to give your reader a reason to go on the Noble Quest with them. This chapter is all about giving your character (and your reader) enough motivation to go on the journey. […]
Read the RestTag Archives | Suspense
How to Craft the First Chapter in a Suspense
Summer’s Over. I know because, well, the kids went back to school last week. And we had our first conference football game (which we won!) And the Minnesota Vikings lost yesterday. *sigh* But most importantly, the August blogging hiatus at MBT is over, and it’s time to start working on our suspense WIPS again! We spent the first seven months of this year studying Suspense, the four components that go into powerful suspense structure, and what each component contains. We talked about the elements of the ignition, the deadline, and crafting villains and heroes who can save the world. Now it’s time to put it all together! Writing a novel is a two part process – the creating of characters, the gathering of the elements and the plotting of the […]
Read the RestDon’t go over the top – another trick of writing suspense.
Tricks! We’ve been talking in the past two weeks about incorporating a few tricks to writing a powerful suspense. Last week we talked about the Hook, and leaving the reader hanging. Today…we’re going to talk about what NOT to do. The hallmark of suspense is the unexpected twist and turns, the increasing tension and dangers. Readers read suspense for the adrenaline ride and the breathless moments – and you as the author want to give this to them. Some of the breathless moments I’ve included in my suspense have been: Trapping my hero and heroine in a burning house. Pushing my hero and heroine off of a cliff into a raging river. Making my heroine jump out of a moving plane. Having my hero chase a suspect through Epcot center. […]
Read the RestMore Tricks to writing suspense!
I love it when I’m reading a book and I look over at the clock and see 2 am. Because clearly I haven’t been able to put down the book. why? The chapters won’t let me! The author has effectively raised new stakes, a new dilemma and left in the middle of the scene, so the reader is compelled to turn the page. And stay up reading all night. The Key to keeping the reader turning the pages is to… L- Leave them Hanging. In other words…don’t finish the scene. One of the biggest mistakes I did in the early days of writing my suspense novel, In Sheep’s Clothing, is that I wrapped up every scene neatly before I moved to the next. My characters completed their tasks and went […]
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