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In an article titled “6 Secrets to Creating and Sustaining Suspense” by Steven James, in the most recent Writer’s Digest, Mr. James maintains that suspense occurs in the still moments of a story, between the promise of something happening and when it actually happens. He writes:
“If readers complain that ‘nothing’ is happening’ in a story, they don’t typically mean that no action is occurring, but rather that no promises are being made.”Interesting. Suspense could be born of a promise or promises of a happening or happenings to come, couldn’t it? It makes sense that “nothing” happening in a story could be attributed to a lack of promises. When I think about the novels I’ve most enjoyed reading, they have indeed made pledges. As I read, I anticipated what was coming based on how my expectations had been primed or set up. Make me big promises in a story, and I’ll be flipping pages to find out what happens and if the commitments are fulfilled. Isn’t this page flipping and inability to put a book down what readers crave and what writers strive for?
Which means, promises need to be kept. How frustrating to be expecting resolutions and get squat.
Are you aware of the promises being made to you when you are reading?
If you are a writer, are you aware of the promises you make in your writing? Do you keep your promises?
This makes total sense to me, even though I've never thought of it this way. I guess it relates to the idea that every single scene needs to move the plot forward, and maybe the ingredient that's most active there is the promise of what's to come! Great post!
ReplyDeleteI've not really thought of a story as full of promises! I have to re-wire my brain now! thanks for this most intriguing way of looking at a story! Yay! take care
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As a reader, I feel there's nothing worse than a story being built up, only to come to an ending where the conclusion is up to the reader's discretion. So I definitely do try to keep my promises when writing, both to the reader, and to the characters.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sarah! I'd never thought of suspense in terms of promises either.
ReplyDeleteYou are most welcome, Old Kitty! : )
I agree Joanne. And what a great point about keeping promises to the characters as well as to the readers.
I try to keep those promises. Somewhere a while back I read something about Making the promise on the first page and fulfilling it on the last. But I don't remember where or when I read this.
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely a new way to look at it. I never thought of reading or writing in terms of promises beyond the author promising a good read. It's pretty sensible, when you think about it.
ReplyDeleteGood to know. My book is ALL about pledges: One tragically forgotten and one worth dying for.
ReplyDeleteI've been writing a romance, so the promise I'm making is to bring my two heroes together (even for a while). I think some promises come as a packaged deal with genre, don't you think?
ReplyDeleteGreat point. yes some novels can be disappoiting because they are so unsatisfactory. I recently read I am Number 4 which was sop action packed I immediately thought this has been written with the goal of it beign made into a film and it was. Both the novel and film were disappointing because I never really cared about the characters. They seemed quite 2D and for some reason I just couldn't feel anything for them.
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool way to look at it! YES, suspense is so important, and I can see how making a promise is a form of suspense.
ReplyDeleteThat is great advice, Carol. Thanks for sharing it!
ReplyDeleteI agree, Jeff.
Nancy, you book sounds interesting!
That makes sense, E.R., yet when I'm reading romance, I still flip pages to see if the two characters really will come together. There is alway that tension that they won't unite.
Thanks, Madeleine! And you make a great point about how we, as readers, need to care about the characters.
Now I can, too, Lisa. : )
I LIKE this definition of suspense! It makes it much easier for me to grasp the idea of what suspense is. Making and keeping promises. Nice.
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting way to look at suspense! I like to think of building a book around a question or a mystery--both of which promise readers an answer somewhere down the line!
ReplyDeleteI read that article and mouth dropped open. It's such a simple concept, yet one so easily missed.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder. I'd forgotten about the article even though I read it not long ago.
How interesting. I've never seen writing and reading in a promise-keeping frame of mind. I usually have my MC make a vow to do something, to resolve a conflict(s), and I follow through with that.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I get annoyed if there are too many promises that aren't kept by the end of the book.
ReplyDeleteYes! I read long ago that a novel is a contract between writer and reader. We do have to make promises, and deliver on them. When I work with my students, I note "promises" that they make in the margin and say that readers will be looking for the payoff.
ReplyDeleteI like it, too, Bish. The idea of promises makes sense.
ReplyDeleteAh, it sounds like you've already got this down, Jenn.
Yes, the simplicity of it is the beauty of it. Great point, Stina.
A vow is another great idea, Medeia!
Isn't that annoying, Lydia? Unkept novel promises are a huge disappointment.
Marcia, I love that you point this out so concretely to your students. A novel truly is a kind of contract between writer and reader.
Great reminder and points--promises are key parts that make readers turn pages! The trouble with so many books being series these days is that often a few of the promises never materialize in the first book. Argh. I just quit reading and stop at Book 1.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't thought of it that way, but it makes sense. Also promises can only go so far before they start to need to be fulfilled.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I think this is so true. The challenge for writers is to deliver on those promises without the revelations falling flat or the reader going, "That's IT?"
ReplyDeleteyes, that's is so good to think about and make sure there are promises there - thanks for a great post.
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I have never heard it put this way before, but it rings so true! And yes, unfulfilled plot promises are the worst. They're the thing that makes people want to chuck your book across the room. ;)
ReplyDeleteYes, I think this is true. On the flip side, sometimes I keep flipping the pages out of a sense of dread. I'm afraid something bad is about to happen to a character I've come to love and I'm trusting the author to save my protagonist in the end. I hate books with unhappy endings...absolutely detest them!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great point, Carol! I hadn't thought about series.
ReplyDeleteTrue, Lynda. I think most readers get frustrated if the promises are not eventually fulfilled. I know I find this maddening.
So true, Lisa! Thanks! : )
Thank you, Michelle.
I hadn't heard of writers making promises in this way either, Peggy, but it resonated with me.
You bring up a good point Shannon. When an author makes a promise, it doesn't necessarily mean a happy ending, does it?
I try to make sure I keep all my plot promises, because I for one dislike books who don't deliver on their promises. :) Thanks for writing a great post!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Nutschell! And I'm glad you keep those promises! : )
ReplyDeleteInteresting to think about. I guess you can create suspense in a number of ways!
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely aware of making and keeping promises in my own writing - to me, that's the best part of any story. I'm not so aware in books I read, though occasionally I'll make a mental note to look for how an author will answer a certain question that's been raised earlier in the story.
ReplyDeletePromises...I love that idea. And now I see that it's true. When promises are made, I read on to find out what happens. It's definitely something I need to keep in mind when writing!
ReplyDeleteI really like this idea of promises. I usually think of suspense more in terms of expectation or redirection, focusing the reader's attention on one possible outcome while setting up for another.
ReplyDeleteVery true, Kelly.
ReplyDeleteGood for you, Susan. It sounds like you've already got this down.
Me, too, Julie! Thanks!
I have never thought about it this way! Wow, I will be reading the next book with new eyes.
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly how I used to think of suspense, too, Adrienne, which is why this added notion of promises appealed to me.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean, Janet. I'm on the lookout as I'm reading these days.
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