Comments on: Libby Fischer Hellmann on Suspense, part 2

By: Writer Unboxed » Blog Archive » Author Interview: Libby Fischer Hellman, part 1

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:05:46 +0000

[...] In October, her guest posts On Suspense (if you’ve missed them, check out part one and part two) generated quite the discussion and provided WU readers with practical tips on the suspense [...]

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By: Jessica Scott

Jessica Scott — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:04:22 +0000

fantastic. I meant fantastic!

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By: Jessica Scott

Jessica Scott — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:03:24 +0000

What fanstatic advice. I’ve saved your post in my writer’s tool kit. Your recommendations can be used for any work, not just crime fiction, but I’m sure you already know that. Thank you so much for the information.

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By: June

June — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 21:46:52 +0000

This post was so informative and helpful. I have to add it to my growing archive of material on craft. Thanks so much!

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By: Libby

Libby — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:51:11 +0000

Thank you for your comments, folks. I’m glad you find it useful.

To answer Anonymous’s question, it’s really a matter of pacing. After a big action scene, you want a spate of calm, so the reader can slow down. If it’s the denoument, though, my advice would be to keep the explanation (ie who really did what and why) to a minimum. It will probably be just as effective to write a quiet scene that shows the people who survive and go on doing just that… Of course, there probably is some explanation or followup required. Just try to keep it as concise as possible.

Jan.. there is no time limit on delaying revelations, as long as there’s a credible reason to do so. Two chapters is fine, particularly if the protagonist is still mulling it over, or preparing what he/she will need to change strategies, etc. Remember, the more you delay, the more suspense you have!

Hope this helps.

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By: Kathleen Bolton

Kathleen Bolton — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:30:51 +0000

I’m printing this puppy out and pasting up in my workstation.

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By: Jan (hope101)

Jan (hope101) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:29:39 +0000

Thank you for this, Libby! I’m writing a scene now that I want to be particularly suspenseful, and I can see I’m not doing everything I could be to keep the reader involved.

I do have a question, though: How can a writer tell if the suspense about one issue has dragged on a bit too long? Also, is there a rule of thumb about how long a particular sting can be left unresolved? (I’m thinking of my wip, where the antagonist hints at a new strategy to oppose the protagonist, but what form that takes will not be answered for two chapters. Is that too long?)
.-= Jan (hope101)´s last blog ..Eleven Embarrassing Things about Me =-.

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By: anonymous

anonymous — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:54:39 +0000

Great stuff. Here’s what I’m struggling with…coming down from the suspense. How to handle the pages that follow the action-packed “denouement”.

Ideas?

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By: Kristan

Kristan — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:25:49 +0000

Wow, what a great series of explanations and tips! Definitely bookmarking this as a guide.
.-= Kristan´s last blog ..The pros and cons of womanhood =-.

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By: Dolly

Dolly — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:56:19 +0000

Like CS, I don’t write crime fiction, but this is definitely the stuff I can use, because my stories do involve some form of mystery.

I really enjoyed this post, because it’s explained simply but logically, so that we are not left with a vague impression of your writerly genius, but rather with a mini-lesson in craft.

Thank you.
.-= Dolly´s last blog ..Post Writing Blues =-.

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