How to Write a Story That Contains Suspense

When you write a story with suspense you need:

1. A question
2. Anticipation
3. Different (and opposed) outcomes available

Suspense requires an outcome or outcomes split by morality and probability – it seems more likely that whatever is bad will happen. The more likely it is that the bad outcome is going to take place, the greater the level of suspense.



A countdown of any kind (eg: spaceship set on course for a sun or a time bomb) works this way: there’s less time to come up with a solution, the likelihood of a bad outcome is increasing and so the level of suspense is building.

Always remember that suspense is in the anticipation, not the result. The classic example from Hitchcock is the bomb under the table.




It makes the conversation between two men sitting at the table full of suspense. The bomb doesn’t need to ever go off, it’s the threat that makes the suspense.

The Bomb Theory is what made Hitchcock 'The Master of Suspense'. He lets the audience know everything up front but doesn't tell his characters anything. They blunder into the trap and the emotion of suspense is created.



Don't confuse suspense with surprise. If the bomb under the tables goes off and we weren't expecting it, then that's surprise. But if we know its under the table and we've no idea when it will go off, then that that is suspense.

If you want to know how to write a story with a suspense-filled atmosphere, I suggest that anything with a relentless edge is good. Ticking, dripping, footsteps – all such things can be used to imply some kind of impending doom.

More advice on how to write a story can be found here.

- Benet Simon & Mike Mindel

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