Why Tension Matters in Thrillers and in Horror

I enjoy reading books where the stakes are high, and the pace is extraordinary. Maybe that’s why I like books by Freida McFadden. Tension is needed for thrillers and horror to ramp the excitement. It is the heartbeat of thrillers. Readers respond strongly to suspense. I know because I’m one of them. If there is a countdown, a time constraint, secrets, hidden motives, or curiosity, this builds up the suspense in stories and makes them worthwhile. The experience of reading it and watching it via film is different, too.

How I Use Atmosphere to Build Suspense

I enjoy fast-paced stories, and I ramp up the external and internal atmosphere around that. If Griffin Knight is against someone strong, why not paint the setting in Halloween to add realistic elements? Or show the reader what Griffin is going through, or what Lucas is thinking about. My stories blend mystery, supernatural elements, and high stakes to help ramp up the tension and create an unforgettable reading experience.

What Tension Is (And What It Isn’t)

Tension isn’t just jump scares—it’s also anticipation. How long will it take for the protagonist to get to where they need to be before the clock runs out? Where is the protagonist’s or side character’s curiosity taking them? Right now, nothing is happening, but you know something is coming. That knowledge and feeling that the story must progress to reach the end goal; that’s thrilling. And then, when characters are uncertain of what could lurk in the woods, or who is in the basement, or what that sound was? They’re going to find out. It’s only a matter of time. This ramps up the tension.

Tension is great in a story, and can be applied in mysteries, thrillers, suspense, and horror stories. I may be possible to apply this in other genres too, such as sci-fi. Can you think of some stories that use tension? I remember watching the show “24.” It was great because there was a constant clock to worry about. Or even the movie “Murder on the Orient Express.” You know that Hercule Poirot came to solve a mystery. The question is, whose will it be? Why is there a murder on the Orient Express? I enjoyed watching that movie.

Real-Life Inspiration for Atmosphere

I get a lot of my ideas from real life. Have you ever walked around at night near an alleyway? Did you decide to walk the long way instead, to ensure you’d be okay? This stuff gives me ideas. Or when I walk around during Christmas time when folks have their lights up, and there is snow around. How about going for a walk and seeing two people talking and their pets playing with each other? This gives me an atmosphere. Even when I used to run in the park or when I’ve visited places with a lot of grassland or forested areas. All of this can be used.

Why Setting is a Character in My Stories

Setting is a character in my stories because there is so much that you can do with it. There are many tools that you can use to help you build worlds. You can do research and learn where things are in real life and use that. Such as a historical landmark, a waterfront; the list goes on. The environment can shape the mood even when there isn’t a holiday around. Just people walking or jogging in the sun, or someone brave enough to use a bike in the wintertime in New York; these all can be used in stories. Watching people on my porch, holding hands as they pass by, or seeing kids arguing and play-fighting on a bike ride—all of this is usable. I like dogs and cats, but I prefer the former. Still, I feel uneasy if I see an unleashed dog nearby without its owner.

Using Point of View to Heighten Fear

For the Griffin Knight series, I prefer first-person POV, but I have used third-person POVs for other stories. I think that if you want a personal experience, first-person is the way to go. You’re able to filter fear better when writing in first-person because you’re reading through their eyes as they see the world. So, if the villain/villainess is chasing them, you’re seeing it through their lens. When a character is flawed or vulnerable, it increases the suspense because now they have a weakness that you know about. This is heightened if their opponent knows about their weaknesses.

Sensory Details That Raise the Stakes

By describing the character’s doubts, this will heighten tension because it’s just a matter of time before they must meet up at the specific place their enemy wanted them to be. Can you think of any books like that? A movie that comes to mind is with Tom Cruise, when he played Jack Reacher. Did the character hear or smell something? These sensory details heighten the tension. If the character heard a twig snap, heard a door slam, or a floorboard creak, this would heighten the tension. Time is the only thing preventing the character from encountering what is behind the noise, or who is out in their backyard.

By having a good gauge of what the character knows, I try to balance things out for the reader by giving vivid descriptions and taking my time with sections. Being able to describe things around the character makes the character alive and feel real. When I write, I try to see things the way a reader would see them. It helps that I read a lot.

The Slow Burn: My Approach to Pacing

While constant action can be good, I like slow-burn tension because you have something to look forward to. I feel like it helps readers turn the pages. You know you have a good book when you can’t wait to sit down and read it. If you don’t feel that way about a book, go read something else, or read that when you have time to. But a good book will keep you turning the pages. If you must stop, you can’t wait to dive back into it.

How I Structure Danger in Stages

Chapter breaks, cliffhangers, and reveals feel natural. I’ve watched enough shows and read enough books to know when to create a chapter or to leave a cliffhanger at the end. Using an outline helps you create danger in stages because you can visualize it in your mind and on paper. Pacing differs between a short story, novelette, novella, and novel based on what word count you must deal with. If you’re writing a short story, you must keep the story moving. But I like short stories, and I hope you do too. 😊

Blending Genres to Deepen Mystery and Horror

I prefer a blend of genres because it makes the story intriguing. While I am trying to figure out who the killer is, or what clues are available, other aspects of the book can grab me. For instance, a jump scare. Mystery can deepen horror when you don’t know what to expect.

Mystery as a Tool for Fear

Is it a person or monster that’s behind that door? Who or what are they? This heightens the tension and makes the book more interesting. I enjoy writing suspense books because it’s fun to make and read. As a writer, I get to do both. Things get better when you can use tension to connect universes. Think of Marvel and DC. I’ve found that the best storytellers are avid readers.

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