Suspense
In short: Suspense is the agonising, delicious wait for something that is coming: the tension that arises when the reader senses danger before it strikes. It is created not by surprise but by expectation.
Where the term comes from
The word comes from the Latin suspendere, „to hold in suspense“. Alfred Hitchcock made the distinction famous: a bomb that suddenly goes off is surprise; a bomb the audience knows about while the characters chat on, unaware, is suspense.
How to create suspense
Let the reader in on it: Suspense comes from knowing, not from ignorance. Show the danger early – the tension lies in waiting for it to break out.
Let the clock tick: A deadline, an approaching step, a tank running empty: anything that makes time visible deepens the pull.
Delay, but play fair: Draw out the inevitable – but deliver what you promise. Endless delay without payoff tires the reader.
Suspense on Fireside
Even a quiet, short story can carry suspense – the silent dread of a conversation is enough. How to build tension without overdoing it, you'll find in the guides.
Related terms: Narrative Arc · Cliffhanger · Foreshadowing
Frequently asked questions
What is suspense in simple terms?
The tension of waiting: the reader senses danger before it strikes and desperately wants to know how it ends.
What is the difference between suspense and surprise?
With surprise something happens suddenly; with suspense the reader knows about it beforehand and dreads the moment.
How do you create suspense?
By letting the reader in early, adding a ticking clock and fairly delaying the inevitable.