Comments on: Build Suspense With Secrets

By: Abigail

Abigail — Thu, 02 Mar 2023 14:17:27 +0000

I think one aspect that wasn’t covered is the difference between a secret the author keeps from the reader that the characters do or don’t know. When the POV I’m in doesn’t know the secret either (a la Snape), I don’t mind learning it when they do. I also like to know secrets and watch other characters grapple with them (like if one POV char knows but another doesn’t). But I *hate* narrators who keep secrets from me (or unreliable narrators, which I know some people do like). The example from House of Earth and Blood would drive me crazy because it feels like dishonesty; if the character knows something and is thinking about it, and I’m in their POV, I should know it too. But then I’m way more straightforward than most people I know. 😉

By: Christina Delay

Christina Delay — Fri, 27 Jan 2023 14:22:28 +0000

In reply to Raymond Walker.

Raymond – that’s my favorite type of book! I’ll check it out!

By: Raymond Walker

Raymond Walker — Thu, 26 Jan 2023 20:17:46 +0000

I agree. You have it. I just wanted to mention that if you wish to see the perfection of the sudden realization that the writer is cleverer than you and has guided you via truth and “what you wish or want to believe to be true” Is in “The Crow Girl” By Erik Axel Sund. Give it a try. Oh, I just realized you might think I am punting my own book. No, it is not me; I have nothing to do with it. Just a book I read, and thought was fantastic at delivering what you were talking about.

By: Christina Delay

Christina Delay — Thu, 26 Jan 2023 16:28:40 +0000

In reply to Jan Sikes. Thanks Jan!

By: Jan Sikes

Jan Sikes — Wed, 25 Jan 2023 15:21:52 +0000

Thank you, Christina! This is great information and I love the examples you put forth.

By: Christina Delay

Christina Delay — Wed, 25 Jan 2023 14:56:44 +0000

In reply to MINDY ALYSE WEISS. Thanks, Mindy!

By: Christina Delay

Christina Delay — Wed, 25 Jan 2023 14:56:17 +0000

Thanks, Mindy!

By: Christina Delay

Christina Delay — Wed, 25 Jan 2023 14:55:43 +0000

In reply to BECCA PUGLISI. Thanks, Becca!

By: Christina Delay

Christina Delay — Wed, 25 Jan 2023 14:55:04 +0000

In reply to ANGELA ACKERMAN. Thanks, Angela!

By: Christina Delay

Christina Delay — Wed, 25 Jan 2023 13:59:37 +0000

In reply to Michael Lantrip. Well, this would make for a fun dinner conversation :). I agree that clarity is absolutely important. We don't want to keep our readers in the dark unnecessarily, however, if the character, genre, and plot warrant it, I believe you can absolutely keep those twists from the reader :).

By: Christina Delay

Christina Delay — Wed, 25 Jan 2023 13:53:26 +0000

In reply to Faith Canright.

Hi Faith!

There’s a tendency to want to keep information from the reader in order to build suspense, but the pitfall is that we end up keeping things that could increase the tension. For example, in The Greatest Showman with Hugh Jackman, the filmmakers tell us in the very beginning that all of our main character’s fame will fade away. That increases the tension of the storytelling when we flash back to his childhood. Or, in Hamilton, we know (if we didn’t already) right up front that Aaron Burr is ‘the damn fool who shot him’. And the rest of the musical leads up to that moment.

Sometimes, it’s better to tell the reader what is going on right away, and build tension and suspense in other ways.

By: Faith Canright

Faith Canright — Tue, 24 Jan 2023 16:47:00 +0000

I’m confused by this: “When using secrets to build suspense, you must make sure that…The tension is not increased by giving the reader the information upfront.” Could you explain, please?