Here are seven essential crime suspense writing tips, expanded to offer more insight:
1- Read and Watch Crime Suspense Books and Movies.:
Read a variety of crime novels and watch suspenseful films to learn from established writers and directors. Study the structure, pacing, and tension-building techniques. Pay attention to how they mislead the reader, create red herrings, and escalate the stakes.
2 – First Seen should be of Crime:
Begin with a gripping crime scene to hook the reader instantly. Whether it’s a murder, robbery, or mysterious disappearance, starting with action sets the tone and draws readers into the intrigue right away.
3- Surprise and Misdirect Your Reader:
Keep your audience on their toes by incorporating unexpected twists. Readers expect the unexpected in crime stories, so plant subtle clues while also leading them down false paths with red herrings and misleading suspects.
4- Write Authentic Dialogue:
Ensure that dialogue reflects the characters’ personalities and backgrounds. Criminals, detectives, and witnesses all speak differently. Make conversations natural and real, using it to reveal clues, build tension, and develop character depth.
5- Avoid First-Person Narrative for Broader Perspective:
First-person narrative can limit the suspense because the reader is confined to the protagonist’s thoughts. Instead, third-person allows a broader view of the action, including different perspectives (like the criminal or detective), which builds deeper suspense.
6- Use Flashbacks Strategically:
Introduce flashbacks to reveal crucial backstory or clues that explain the motivations behind the crime. Flashbacks can increase tension by slowly unraveling the mystery and giving readers new insights into characters’ pasts.
7- Showcase the Intelligence of the Criminal:
A formidable antagonist makes for a thrilling story. Describe the criminal’s cunning, intelligence, and methodical planning to elevate the suspense. The smarter the villain, the more challenging the mystery becomes, creating more tension for the protagonist.
These tips can help you craft a crime story that keeps readers engaged, guessing, and excited for the next revelation.