Writing Craft
Suspense
Suspense keeps readers anticipating what comes next. This certificate program examines tension building, strategic information withholding, pacing control, and emotional stakes.
Courses
Building Suspense that Holds Readers Hostage
Suspense lives in the details of a scene. This panel explores how writers across genres build tension, control pacing, and reveal information at just the right moment to keep readers hooked from the first page to the last.
Building Tension Across Every Genre
What makes a story feel impossible to put down? In this conversation, authors dig into the shared DNA of thrillers across every genre. They explore how suspense, tension, and pacing work together to keep readers hooked, showing how these techniques apply no matter the setting, subject, or style of story.
Michael Connelly on Craft, Character, and Sustaining Suspense
Bestselling author Michael Connelly interviews Michael Koryta in a lively conversation about storytelling, character, and the challenge of balancing suspense with emotional depth.
Misdirection That Plays Fair with the Reader
Misdirection keeps readers guessing while fair play keeps them satisfied. Saralyn Richard, Jill Orr, Mariah Fredericks, and Rich Zahradnik explore how to design red herrings that surprise without cheating the reader. This session focuses on balancing intrigue, logic, and payoff to create mysteries that feel clever and earned.
What Makes a Novel Thrilling?
In this session, authors discuss the different techniques they use to create excitement and suspense in their novels, from pacing and stakes to character choices and unexpected twists. The conversation explores how writers across genres keep readers engaged and turning pages.