Suspense is a powerful tool in the storyteller's arsenal

storytelling tips

There are many ways to create suspense in a story, but here is one of the simplest ones:

Delay naming objects or people. Describe them first.

A few examples from actual stories I tell:

A small hand emerges from the leaf pile, holding a silver metallic object.

The object?

A spoon.

But you can see how suspense is established by describing it instead of naming it.

Charlie points and asks, "What this?" I look and see that this is going to be a long conversation.

The object?

A memorial plaque affixed to a bench.

Again, you can see how suspense is established by describing it instead of naming it.

I open my eyes. Bright light blinds me. I blink. I blink again, then I see her, smiling down upon me, almost like an angel.

The woman?

A nurse in an emergency room, but the audience knows it might also be my mother and maybe even an angel, since this is a story where CPR is required to save my life.

Who could this person be? Until I say, I leave the audience in suspense.

By simply describing before naming, we create suspense in our audience's mind. Admittedly short lived, but even a little suspense is a wondrous thing.

More from our Blog

Storytime with Matthew Dicks: The Magic Window

Storytelling for Personal Life Moments

Storytelling for Presenters, Public Speaking, Keynotes, and Pitch D...

Storytelling for Leaders

Storytelling for Sales, Marketing, and Advertising: Elevate Your St...

Storytelling for Business: Unlocking the Power of Narrative in the ...

THEĀ STORYWORTHY NEWSLETTER

ReceiveĀ HelpfulĀ Storytelling Tips

The best available resources to improve your storytelling skills.

You're safe with me. I'll never spam you or sell your contact info.