Mastering Suspense, Structure, and Plot by Cleland, Jane -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

Praise for Mastering Suspense, Structure, & Plot Title Page Copyright Page Dedication and Acknowledgments

Dedication Acknowledgements

About the Author Foreword Introduction Part One: Thinking

Chapter One: Know Your Readers

Write for Your Readers Understand Your Readers’ Expectations Identify Reader Expectations The Narrative Question

Chapter Two: Structure is King

Frame Your Plot With Structure Choose From Two Reliable Options Choose Multiple Perspectives or a Single POV Add Enhancements to Increase Tension Choose Your Structure

Chapter Three: Jane's Plotting Road Map

Find Fresh Ideas Select Your TRDs Determine the Appropriate Pace

Chapter Four: Set the Stage

Character- or Incident-Driven Decision Making Adapting a Gothic Novel Less Is More Choosing Settings Based on Genre Sensual References Bring Your Setting to Life People Interacting With Places

Chapter Five: Layer in Two Subplots

Subplots With Purpose Use Jane’s Plotting Road Map to Ensure You Maintain a Suspenseful Pace Use Thematic and Recurring Subplots in Series

Chapter Six: Isolate Your Protagonist—and Everyone Else

Isolation, a Tool of Suspense Isolation Overview When Isolation Is Central to the Plot Physical Isolation: You’re All Alone Social Isolation: You Feel All Alone Isolation Drives Characterizations Writing Emotional Truth Metaphors Illuminate Isolation

Chapter Seven: The Devil Made Me Do It

Understanding Human Nature Capitalizing on Human Nature Structural Red Herrings Confounding Readers With Appearance Miscues The Bandwagon Fallacy The Halo and Devil Effects Incorporating Details Befuddles Readers Using a Character’s Expertise You’re an Expert on You Integrating Red Herrings

Part Two: Writing

Chapter Eight: Add Surprise—Sparingly

The Jack-in-the-Box Effect Everyday Surprises The Anatomy of Surprise Set Up Surprises The Difference Between Surprise and Suspense Add Drama Through Action A Three-Step Process

Chapter Nine: Get into Your Readers' Heads

Stability vs. Confusion and Betrayal A Journey of Discovery Identify Knowledge Gaps Write Based on a Deep Understanding

Chapter Ten: Whisper, Don't Shout

Maximize Sound’s Impact Through Quiet The Science of Sound: Connecting to Readers Describing Sound: Language Choices

Chapter Eleven: Illuminate Fear and Dread

What Scares Your Characters? The Positive Side of Fear When Your Readers Know More Than the Characters A Plot Based on Fear or Dread Writing Fear and Dread

Chapter Twelve: Reveal Answers Slowly

Inspire Reader Curiosity Unreliable Narrators Create Suspense Let Suspense Linger Three Techniques to Set Up Slow Reveals

Chapter Thirteen: Write Sentences That Work

Say What You Mean, Clearly Two Considerations Flashbacks Shorten Sentences to Add Tension Let Your Voice Shine Through Write Purposefully

Chapter Fourteen: Conclusion

End With Forethought: The Triple X Strategy Illuminate the Way and Readers Will Step Into Your World Put the Tools to Work Think, Write, Revise (In That Order) Final Thoughts

Afterword

The Values of Writing