Thread suspense into the story
How does an author keep the reader interested?
A surefire way is to add the element of suspense. When
incorporated into the story, this provides a payback to readers who have
trusted you with their precious time.
The simplest definition of suspense is not knowing what will
happen. For this, there needs to be a character the reader can emphasize with.
Without reader empathy, adding an obstacle or visible peril won’t have pages
turned.
If the reader cares, the creation of suspense requires the dilemma
to linger before resolution. Let’s look at an example.
A bookstore browser enthusiastic for historical fiction is
introduced to a 19th Century female coming of age. She has attractive attributes but fears a family history of sterility will damn her to
spinsterhood. She meets the male heir to a stable of pedigree, prize-winning racehorses.
He expresses a desire to raise a family.
Our heroine reluctantly explains to him that, if he should marry
her, the odds of his attaining his goal is not guaranteed.
They nevertheless marry.
After two years, she’s still unable to conceive.
They adopt a young baby boy abandoned by a traveling gypsy
caravan. Happy, the couple is heartbroken when authorities identify the boy as
kidnapped, and the boy’s real father appears.
In secret, the heroine learns of an experimental method to
be impregnated, and she volunteers to be a medical test case. When she becomes
of child, she tells her husband. They are overjoyed to wait.
Within a month, the heroine miscarries.
For a second time, dread descends upon the heroine for life’s
uncertainty has dealt her and her husband unexpected blows.
Will the reader keep on reading? The ending has not yet
come. Will it be tragedy or success?
As the author, you know. And, by threading suspense of what the
unexplained, but believable outcome, lies on upcoming pages will create a great
incentive to keep the reader along in lockstep to complete the journey.
