How Suspense Really Works: Making Readers Hold Their Breath

What makes a reader hold their breath and refuse to stop turning pages? Charlie Donlea, Dianne McCartney, J.L. Delozier, Kaira Rouda, Lynette Eason, and Rick Treon dig into the true mechanics of suspense. They explore how character choices, pacing, and plot construction work together to create relentless tension. This session shows how to hook readers early and keep them locked in until the final twist.

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Breaking the Rules of Genre Fiction

Breaking the Rules of Genre Fiction

Bharti Kirchner, Jill Yesko, Linda Rodriguez, Rabbi Ilene Schneider, and Stacy Allen explore writing fiction that refuses to fit neatly into one category. They discuss hybrid storytelling, unconventional structures, and how pushing past genre labels can lead to bold,...