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How Suspense Really Works: Making Readers Hold Their Breath

Presented by: Charlie Donlea | Dianne McCartney | J.L. Delozier | Kaira Rouda | Lynette Eason | Rick Treon
Categories: Character | Fiction | Pacing | Plot | Suspense | Thriller | Writing

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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