Enhancing Your Narrative: Introducing Sustained Suspense in Your Prose
In the world of literature, a popular piece of writing advice has been circulating among authors – "If your characters ever meet you, they should punch you in the face." This saying, often attributed to author Chuck Wendig, emphasizes the importance of challenging and testing characters in a story.
Good authors, it seems, should not shy away from putting their protagonists through the wringer. They should come down hard on their beloved characters, pushing them to their limits and beyond. This isn't about indulging in unnecessary hardship but rather creating authentic, dynamic, and sometimes harsh experiences for characters that drive the narrative forward.
The phrase can be interpreted as a call to make characters angry enough that they would want to confront the author for the trials they are put through. It's a reminder that well-developed characters wouldn't just passively exist; they'd be "angry" with the author for making their lives difficult.
To add tension to a book, authors should not take it easy on their characters. They should follow the three D's: Disappointment, Danger, and Dire Straits. Disappointment can be shown through a character watching a comrade die, losing a battle, or failing to get promoted. Danger can be depicted as a threat from a lover, the fear of a secret romance being discovered, or a vengeful neighbour/relative/friend. Dire Straits can represent a threat to a way of life, security, finances, etc.
Problems should come from different spheres of the character's life, including personal and professional issues. Small difficulties and annoyances can keep readers engaged and rooting for the characters. Life often presents both big and small problems simultaneously, and authors can reflect this in their writing.
Problems should lead to other problems, and it's rare that an argument ends with a nice cup of coffee and a heartfelt apology. Not wrapping up problems too quickly is crucial for maintaining tension and keeping readers invested in the story.
John Briggs, a writer with nearly 20 years of experience, is a testament to this approach. Starting out in newspapers and eventually becoming a nationally syndicated children's TV critic, Briggs' book, Leaping Lemmings, was released on Sept 6th, 2016. In his works, we can see characters facing multiple problems, from cultural prejudices and small-town biases to threats to their children and even a rabid dog, as seen in Harper Lee's classic novel, To Kill a Mockingbird.
In conclusion, authors should aim to make their characters hate them, by not making their lives too easy and by causing them to face numerous challenges. This approach not only leads to compelling storytelling but also resonates with readers who can identify with the struggles and triumphs of well-written characters.
Authors should create complex, dynamic characters that face numerous challenges in their lives, as this resonates with readers and leads to compelling storytelling. To do this, they can use problems such as disappointments, danger, and dire straits in various aspects of a character's life, causing them to encounter struggles and triumphs that make the narrative more engaging.
Through this approach, a writer's characters may even appear to be angry with them for putting them through such challenges, similar to the advice offered by Chuck Wendig: "If your characters ever meet you, they should punch you in the face."
