Have you ever read a story where you just couldn’t stop turning the pages? Where every word made your heart race, and you couldn’t wait to find out what happened next? That’s the power of tension and suspense. These tools are what keep readers glued to your story, eager to see what happens next.
But how do you create that feeling? How do you make readers sit on the edge of their seats? In this post, we’ll explore the secrets of building tension and suspense and share tips to help you keep your readers hooked from start to finish.
1. What Are Tension and Suspense?
Tension is the feeling of unease, nervousness, or anticipation that something big is about to happen. It’s that little voice in your reader’s head saying, “Uh-oh… what’s going to happen next?”
Suspense, on the other hand, is about delaying answers to key questions. It’s the art of making your readers wait for important information while keeping them interested.
Imagine your character is walking down a dark hallway and hears a strange noise behind them. Tension is the feeling that something might jump out at any moment. Suspense is the waiting—drawing out the moment before revealing what’s behind the noise.
2. Start with a Question or Mystery
One of the easiest ways to create suspense is to make your readers ask a question. Who is the stranger in the black coat? What’s in the locked box? Why is the character so afraid of going into the attic?
Start your story or scene with something unanswered—something your readers will want to figure out.
Example: Sophie stared at the letter in her hand. There was no name, no address—just three chilling words: “Don’t trust him.”
This immediately raises questions. Who is “him”? Why shouldn’t Sophie trust him? Readers will want to keep reading to find out.
3. Slow Down Key Moments
When something intense or dramatic is about to happen, don’t rush through it. Slow down and describe the details. Let your readers feel the moment.
If your character is about to open a mysterious door, don’t just say, “She opened the door and screamed.” Instead, stretch out the moment:
Her hand trembled as she reached for the handle. The metal was cold against her fingertips. For a moment, she hesitated, her breath caught in her throat. Then, with a deep breath, she pushed the door open.
By slowing down, you create a sense of anticipation and nervousness.
4. Use Short Sentences for Fast-Paced Scenes

When the action picks up, your sentences should become shorter and snappier. Short sentences create a rhythm that matches the urgency of the moment.
Example: Footsteps. Getting closer. Her heart pounded. She couldn’t hide. Not now.
The quick pace makes readers feel the rush of the moment.
5. Keep Secrets from the Reader
Sometimes, the most effective way to build suspense is to withhold information. Your readers don’t need to know everything right away.
If a character has a big secret, hint at it without revealing it immediately. For example: Tom avoided looking her in the eye. He couldn’t tell her—not yet. She wouldn’t understand.
The reader will wonder: What is Tom hiding? Why can’t he tell her?
Make your readers crave the answers.
6. Raise the Stakes
To keep readers on edge, the consequences of failure need to feel important. If your character doesn’t succeed, what’s at risk? Their life? Their friend’s safety? Their biggest dream?
The higher the stakes, the more invested your reader will be.
Example: If Mia didn’t find the antidote within the hour, her brother wouldn’t survive the night.
High stakes create urgency and make every decision feel critical.
7. Use Cliffhangers

A cliffhanger is when you end a chapter or scene at an intense or uncertain moment, leaving your readers desperate to know what happens next.
Example: The door creaked open slowly, and Sophie gasped at what she saw on the other side.
Notice how the sentence ends without telling you what Sophie saw? That’s a cliffhanger. It keeps readers turning the pages.
8. Use the Setting to Add Tension
The setting can play a huge role in creating tension. Think about how different places make people feel. A dark forest feels much scarier than a sunny park. An abandoned building feels more mysterious than a bright, cheerful café.
Describe the setting in a way that enhances the mood.
Example: The narrow alley was silent except for the drip of water from a broken pipe. Shadows danced on the crumbling brick walls, and every corner felt like it was watching her.
The setting isn’t just a background—it’s part of the tension.
9. Show Characters’ Reactions to Build Suspense
Readers will often feel what your character feels. If your character is nervous, scared, or panicked, your readers will feel the same way. Show those emotions through body language and thoughts.
Example: His palms were sweaty, and his breath came in short gasps. Every step felt heavier than the last, and the hallway stretched endlessly in front of him.
When readers see your characters reacting to tension, it makes the scene feel more real.
10. Keep Readers Guessing

Don’t make your story too predictable. If readers can guess what’s going to happen, they won’t feel any suspense. Throw in surprises, twists, or unexpected outcomes to keep them on their toes.
If your character is walking into what seems like a safe situation, drop a small clue that something isn’t quite right. Maybe they notice a strange smell, a flickering light, or an unusual sound.
Example: The house was quiet—too quiet. The curtains were drawn, but a faint light glowed from behind them.
Small hints keep readers alert and suspicious.
11. Practice Writing Suspenseful Scenes
The best way to get good at building tension is to practice. Here are some exercises to try:
Write a scene where a character is being followed but doesn’t know who’s behind them. Write a tense scene where a character must make a difficult decision with limited time. Write a chapter that ends with a cliffhanger.
As you practise, pay attention to pacing, descriptions, and how your character reacts to the situation.
Make Your Readers Hold Their Breath
Tension and suspense are what keep your readers glued to the page. Whether it’s a ticking clock, a mysterious secret, or a dark forest filled with strange noises, these tools can turn any scene into something unforgettable.
So next time you write, ask yourself: Is my reader asking questions? Do they feel the character’s fear or excitement? Are they desperate to know what happens next?
With practice, you’ll master the art of building tension, and your stories will become impossible to put down. Now go—keep your readers holding their breath!
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