  Short Stories
This week: Edited by: Vivian  
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Stories need suspense as much as novels do. Any writing that holds a reader's attention will have at least some suspense. How can we add that element?
I'm enjoying the online workshop J.D. Webb is holding through a forum on The Muse Online Writers Conference (if you want to learn and attend a conference without traveling or paying a registration fee, be sure and register for this conference next year). His ideas help support my thoughts and adds more to what I already know about writing suspense. I'll share some of his thoughts in the article for this newsletter.
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Adding Suspense to Stories
Suspense helps keep readers wanting to read the rest of a story. Mysteries and thrillers must have a high level of suspense to create the correct atmosphere for the genre. But what about other stories, ones without a murder or killing? Since conflict is a component of any story, then so is suspense to some extent.
According to author J.D. Webb, we can't find a magical formula to provide instant suspense. In other words, suspense can come from different directions, different sources. Suspense always begins with conflict, and the more heightened the conflict, the greater the suspense.
Complications equal conflict equals suspense, that formula isn't magical, but it is what's needed to create a plot that will interest readers. Anything that builds tension brings suspense.
Dave (J.D. Web) says the areas where conflict can be developed and suspense built include characters and setting.
A few examples of the conflict with characters include a couple falling in love with differences or external stress, a main character who faces life complications or problems, a protagonist who battles an antagonist for his life or for "truth and justice." Dave suggests that writers create situations which engages the character's emotions, and to have the character use those emotions. "What do they hear, smell, touch? Don't tell the reader what they are. Let the reader find out by dialog or the reactions of others." My additional thought, "Let the reader find out by the actions and reactions of the character."
Conflict can be external or internal. A character may have conflict due to his beliefs and a decision he must make that may go against that belief - internal conflict/complication.
Setting can contain complications which creates suspense. Dave says some already used setting complications include a dam about to burst, a tornado that swept up a little girl and dropped her in Oz, an asteroid speeding toward Earth. Using imagination, writers can created setting complications without "stealing" from others.
I've just scratched the surface of what creates suspense, but one thing to remember when writing a short story: We don't have but a limited number of words and pages to create and build suspense, and we need to write making sure each and every word is needed. |
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Words from Our Readers
Amyaurora 
While I agree that a story needs to grab one's attention right away, I have however forced myself through boring first paragraphs in only to discover that the second one is the one with the bite. Sometimes it pays to "suffer" for a second or two to discover a story worth reading and reviewing.
Most readers, though, won't suffer through anything to find whether the story gets better. If we're going to write for something other than our own pleasure, then we need to meet the wants of most readers. Sad, perhaps, but true.
Jaye P. Marshall 
This was a very interesting newsletter emphasizing a gripping first paragraph to pull readers into the story. Something we'd all do well to remember.
Thank you for featuring my story, "Park Pedaler".
I'm glad you found the newsletter interesting. I try to present material that will help writers, and you're welcome.
inform1 
I will push myself to read a little more if it's been lauded by the press or by friends but sometimes, it just doesn't do it for me and they are simply - wrong.
Yes, sometimes the press or reviewers or even friends are simply wrong.
Utopian 
Thanks for the tidbit on beginnings. Starting is where I always seem to have a problem. I have all these ideas, and write out plots, storylines, and even the backgrounds of all my characters. But that is as far as I can get because I can never figure out how to begin.
Have you ever tried beginning in the middle of a scene? Sometimes that works.
Thomas
Woohoo!!! You featured one of my stories. Smile Thank you very much. I enjoy reading the newsletters anyway, but it's especially enjoyable when I see one of my pieces.
I'm glad seeing one of your stories featured gave you joy.
billwilcox
Ah, Viv, you're like a fine wine that only betters with age. Great newsletter--a keeper.
Thanks, Bill. Uh, wait a minute, are you saying I should be kept in a bottle? 
Thanks for joining me this for this issue. I'll be back next month.
Viv |
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Short Stories: October 22, 2008 Issue [#2669]
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