Working With Suspense

Some things to remember about writing stories:

• We get our inspiration from our memories
• A good story surprises us in a plausible way
• Plot is not just this happened, then that happened, but this happened because of that happening...
• The shorter the story, the more concise--the more development of plot, characters, and theme the longer the short story
• Description slows down the reading process: you can control the pace of a reader
• Dialogue speeds up the reading process: you can control the pace of a reader
• Traditionally, conflict is person v. person, person v. self, person v. nature, person v. society

After discussing a few ways that you can open a short story, let's discuss and examine how to create suspense in your fiction.

Suspense: delaying the reader's gratification. The intense feeling (often of anxiety) a reader feels when characters in stories/films, etc. are either in danger, threatened, or the outcome of the story is in question. This uncertainty creates a feeling of suspense.

As writers, we want to make sure our readers ask: what's going to happen to my favorite character in this situation or what will happen because this is happening to my favorite character?

Some ways to create suspense:

• Show (describe) the danger or threat
• Hint at possibilities through your diction (careful word choice) and imagery
• Delay gratification by keeping your reader guessing as to what will happen next
• Use description as a way to break up or slow down resolution of events
• Use dialogue as a way to break up or distract characters from the resolution of events
• Cut to a different scene--use white space to transition from one scene to another
• Cut to the POV of a different character--this is called parallel action
• Stop the scene before you resolve it--this is often called a cliff hanger

Story Analysis (pg. 158-176). Get into groups of 2-3. Together read the short story on pages 158-176. As you read, answer the questions and examine the text to analyze Bradbury's use of suspense in this story. When you have completed the story, please turn in your notes for participation credit.

When your group has completed their analysis (and you've turned in your work), please go next door to complete the writing task below:

LAB: Write a short (200-300 word) scene that involves a specific character involved in a specific conflict. Keep your scene tight--in other words just focus on the now of the character in the conflict. For now, just write that scene...you will be adding to this scene in future classes. To get you started, use one of the hooks in the writing practice today. You may also use the material from your journal as to character, situation, and setting.

HOMEWORK: Please complete Dandelion Wine (there will be a test 4th period, Friday. Study your previous quizzes! Know major characters, events, conflicts, symbols, etc.)