Is Creating Suspense Really This Simple? - CrimeSpace2024-03-29T12:24:56Zhttps://crimespace.ning.com/forum/topics/is-creating-suspense-really-this-simple?commentId=537324%3AComment%3A362124&feed=yes&xn_auth=noI have to agree with you here…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2012-12-27:537324:Comment:3630852012-12-27T21:23:40.075ZLiam Savillehttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/LiamSaville
<p>I have to agree with you here Mark, it's important that the reader has an ongoing series of questions. That doesn't mean the book should turn into a continuous bait-n-switch affair, but rather that the reader should be solving small problems, or pieces of the puzzle if you like along the way, and then these together will lead to the final answer.</p>
<p>I have to agree with you here Mark, it's important that the reader has an ongoing series of questions. That doesn't mean the book should turn into a continuous bait-n-switch affair, but rather that the reader should be solving small problems, or pieces of the puzzle if you like along the way, and then these together will lead to the final answer.</p> Once the reader's curiosity i…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2012-12-25:537324:Comment:3628302012-12-25T15:53:44.370ZMartyn V. Halmhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/MartynVHalm
<p>Once the reader's curiosity is sated, the desire to turn the page will diminish, so I'd make sure to create at least two new questions with every answer you give.</p>
<p>Once the reader's curiosity is sated, the desire to turn the page will diminish, so I'd make sure to create at least two new questions with every answer you give.</p> I do believe the simplest of…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2012-12-21:537324:Comment:3625042012-12-21T01:52:17.969ZDave Workmanhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/DaveWorkman
<p>I do believe the simplest of premises, if told with in-depth (quirky and complex) characterization should deliver as much as a complicated plot.<br/><br/>As for Vonnegut's #8, I suggest giving readers as much information as <em>necessary</em>, as soon as possible. But then again, who am I to argue with Vonnegut? Still...?</p>
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<p>I do believe the simplest of premises, if told with in-depth (quirky and complex) characterization should deliver as much as a complicated plot.<br/><br/>As for Vonnegut's #8, I suggest giving readers as much information as <em>necessary</em>, as soon as possible. But then again, who am I to argue with Vonnegut? Still...?</p>
<p></p> Personally I can't read a per…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2012-12-13:537324:Comment:3621352012-12-13T01:42:36.731Ziabanonhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/iabanon
<p>Personally I can't read a person who tries to use 'micro' and 'macro' in the same sentence. It's my 'Wanker' warning. </p>
<p>Personally I can't read a person who tries to use 'micro' and 'macro' in the same sentence. It's my 'Wanker' warning. </p> I've heard something like tha…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2012-12-13:537324:Comment:3621322012-12-13T01:34:25.759ZM.E. Purfieldhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/MEPurfield
<p>I've heard something like that before. What I heard was that suspense is knowing WHAT is going to happen, but not WHEN it will happen.</p>
<p>Speaking of Lee Child, has anyone else read The Max? They constantly make fun of him, it's really funny.</p>
<p>I've heard something like that before. What I heard was that suspense is knowing WHAT is going to happen, but not WHEN it will happen.</p>
<p>Speaking of Lee Child, has anyone else read The Max? They constantly make fun of him, it's really funny.</p> I also think it's a good, if…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2012-12-12:537324:Comment:3622162012-12-12T20:02:18.475ZMark Pryorhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/MarkPryor
<p>I also think it's a good, if simplified, way to look at crime fiction (any fiction?!). For me, it's not just one question lobbed out at the start, it's that question answer and then replaced with another, or maybe answered by another, equally compelling question.</p>
<p>I also think it's a good, if simplified, way to look at crime fiction (any fiction?!). For me, it's not just one question lobbed out at the start, it's that question answer and then replaced with another, or maybe answered by another, equally compelling question.</p> I'd like to add that James Sc…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2012-12-12:537324:Comment:3621242012-12-12T18:19:16.824ZBrian Hoffmanhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/BrianHoffman
<p>I'd like to add that James Scott Bell's book <a href="http://www.jamesscottbell.com/styled-7/styled-21/index.html" target="_blank">Conflict and Suspense</a> has been helpful to me in creating suspensful scenes. The advice from Lee Child is a good basis, but this book goes much deeper into the subject. </p>
<p>I'd like to add that James Scott Bell's book <a href="http://www.jamesscottbell.com/styled-7/styled-21/index.html" target="_blank">Conflict and Suspense</a> has been helpful to me in creating suspensful scenes. The advice from Lee Child is a good basis, but this book goes much deeper into the subject. </p> Nativism is bunk. (Just my op…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2012-12-11:537324:Comment:3621862012-12-11T01:17:30.333ZEric Christophersonhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/datahog
<p>Nativism is bunk. (Just my opinion, of course.) You have to know the craft in order to break its rules and gain something.</p>
<p>Nativism is bunk. (Just my opinion, of course.) You have to know the craft in order to break its rules and gain something.</p> I've listened to too many new…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2012-12-11:537324:Comment:3620422012-12-11T01:16:52.386ZEric Christophersonhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/datahog
<p>I've listened to too many newbies playing without knowing the chords not to think it's good that Lee Child wrote this article. (God, the noise I once made!)</p>
<p>I've listened to too many newbies playing without knowing the chords not to think it's good that Lee Child wrote this article. (God, the noise I once made!)</p> Naw, I think the suspense has…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2012-12-11:537324:Comment:3621812012-12-11T00:18:08.730ZJohn McFetridgehttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/JohnMcF
<p>Naw, I think the suspense has to be based on something plausible... ;)</p>
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<p>Naw, I think the suspense has to be based on something plausible... ;)</p>
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