How can a writer add action/suspense to their writing? How can you pull the reader into the story and keep them there? Is there such a thing as too much action? How do you know when you’re reaching that point?
Researching these points I came across a great blog post by Alexandra Sokoloff. She shows how she adds suspense in her novels and we can take her ideas and use it in our own storylines.
I sent a general query out to everyone on the ROMAUS loop and received some great advice back.
Karly Blakemore said – If you don’t have enough experience you could make the mistake of having too much action, but writers like Matthew Reilly does it so well that you finish reading his book and feel like you should have your hair sticking every which way like you’ve just gotten off a rollercoaster ride! He is truly gifted! Harlequins’ romantic suspense line break up the action with a slower piece to allow the readers to have a rest.
Mary DeHaas offered that whether it is action in the bed-room or in the alley way, the story still has to be paramount to reality. Enough that the reader will truly believe they can feel the moment, and hopefully understand, almost like witnessing the thrill of the chase, the sudden loss of life, and intimacy between the characters.
The very talented Janet Woods shared the idea that adding suspense could mean delaying or confusing the resolving of the conflict. You might just get to the point where it seems straightforward, the problem is about to be resolved, when another element intrudes and gives the problem another dimension. To make this credible to the reader, the author usually plants a clue or two.
One simple way to build up suspense and combine it with action is to use an occasional cliff-hanger moment of physical danger – and this can incorporate action. Heroine is pushed into the lion’s cage. You describe her hitting the ground, of her looking up to the hungry face of the lion. She screams. Lion snarls. LINE BREAK . Cut to POV of villain walking away. Later you return to heroine’s fate.
A good way to study action/suspense is to watch how it’s done on film by the screen writers. For instance, the Harrison Ford ” Indiana Jones” films are just loaded with suspense and action.
What are some of your ideas for upping the ante on your own manuscript?
Romance Writers of Australia 
Kylie Griffin
/ September 7, 2009The physical structure of your sentences can also add impact to any action or suspense in your ms. Short and sharp picks up the pace. Specific, carefully chosen words can heighten a readers awareness and subconsciously imply tension or forewarn the reader something is about to happen. Visceral reactions add another layer into the visual picture created in a readers mind.
Most times I layer this more deeply when I go back and edit. I liked the comment made about seeing how the movies structure their scenes – this is how I see scenes in my head when I write and it’s just a matter of finding the perfect spot to end a scene to create the right amount of suspense or tension.
Anita Joy
/ September 7, 2009A great tip I got recently was to watch a movie with the sound off and write a description of what you are seeing (thanks Jenn *wink*). You’ve then got ‘physical’ decriptions to which you can put your own dialogue (works for any type of scene, not just action).
Natalie Hatch
/ September 8, 2009If I turn off the sound my family and I start making up dialogue! A bit like that 80s Australian movie ‘Hercules Returns’.
Monique Wood
/ September 8, 2009I like the idea of turning off the TV and writing some descriptions based on what I see. Sounds like a fantastic exercise.
Tracey O'Hara
/ September 8, 2009Well done CC – hope you had fun here. Great post. And 1500 words – geesh your fingers must fly.
Tracey
Belinda
/ June 4, 2010I just wanted to let you know we’ve linked your article in our 20 Top Blogs on Short Stories and Writing at http://www.sheinspires.com.au/writing/20-top-blogs-on-creative-writing
All the best! 🙂