Curating Suspense: Tip #1

There are formulas and techniqies when it comes to storytelling that can feel somewhat recycled, but the truth is that tropes can be pivotal for moving a story along and developing characters, and there are a few that will also curate suspense. The reader already has their own relationship and history with certain “tropes,” which opens the door for twists and unexpected thrills even in the most traditional places.

My advice, don’t let it become formulaic, understand the end goal of the trope and get creative with how to accomplish that goal. Look at the “dream” trope, which has often been a popular foreshadowing tactic. The dream device often shows up in stories that are told from a first person perspective. This can be somewhat limiting, and a “dream” can allow readers to get an outside view that the narrator wouldn’t necessarily have or know.

Dreams can create mystery and provide insight that can’t be covered in a first person POV. However, you can still put your own twist on this technique. For example, it would be drastically different if the narrator uses dreams to relive the same memory but it’s different every time, so the reader questions what really happened or explores other possibilities. 

Pro tip: Begin by asking yourself “what does this device accomplish?” Does it move the plot along, reveal a crucial detail in a character's history, or explain the character development? Once you know what you’re trying to accomplish, then you can get creative with how you get there.