If you’re looking to add suspense, action, tension, and mystery to your thriller novel, then you should take a look at some narrative writing examples. By studying how other authors have done it, you can learn new techniques and apply them to your work.
This blog post will look at four aspects of narrative writing: suspense, action, tension, and mystery. We’ll see how each one is used to create a thrilling story experience for the reader.
The types of narrative writing found in thrillers
There are different types of narrative writing in thriller novels: first-person narratives, third-person omniscient narratives, and second-person narratives. Every kind of narrative has its strengths and weaknesses, so choosing the right one for your story is essential.
First-person narratives are told from the protagonist’s point of view, and they’re often the most suspenseful and exciting type of thriller novel. This is because readers are right there with the character, experiencing everything as it happens. First-person narratives also allow for many interior monologues, enabling the reader to get inside the character’s head and understand their motivations.
Third-person omniscient narratives are told from an all-knowing narrator’s point of view, which means that readers will be able to see everything that’s happening. Third-person narratives can be a great way to create mystery, as readers will never know what will happen next.
Second-person narratives are told from the reader’s point of view, which can be disorienting and very effective at creating tension. It’s essential to use this style sparingly, though, or it can quickly become tiresome.
Key elements in creating a thriller novel
Suspense, action, tension, and mystery are critical elements in creating a successful thriller novel. Using narrative writing examples, you can create a thrilling story that will keep your readers hooked from beginning to end.
Suspense
In a thriller novel, suspense is critical. You want your reader to be on the edge of their seat, wondering what will happen next. Create tension by withholding information from the reader or delaying the release of crucial plot points. You can create suspense by using red herrings, cliffhangers, and foreshadowing.
Example of suspense:
Some classic examples of suspense in famous thrillers include the surprise ending of Psycho, the scene where Clarice Starling meets Hannibal Lecter for the first time in The Silence of the Lambs, and pretty much any moment in Stephen King’s The Shining. In all these cases, the writers create an atmosphere of unease and tension, which keeps the readers engaged.
Red herrings
You can use red herrings in thrillers to mislead the reader and keep them guessing. You can use red herrings to divert attention away from the actual killer or culprit and add suspense and intrigue to a story. However, use them sparingly, as too many can confuse the reader. Make sure that the clues you provide are relevant to the plot – otherwise, you’ll end up frustrating your readers.
Example of a red herring:
One of the most famous examples of a red herring in a thriller is Agatha Christie’s novel, Murder on the Orient Express. In the book, Hercule Poirot investigates the murder of a passenger onboard a train.
Poirot comes across a suitcase that someone other than the victim has checked in at one point. He assumes that it’s the killer’s suitcase and spends much of his time investigating this lead. However, it turns out the suitcase is not related to the murder, and Poirot only realizes this after wasting a lot of time on it.
Cliffhangers
By ending a chapter or scene on a cliffhanger, you leave your reader wondering what will happen next and anxious to find out.
Examples of cliffhangers:
There are plenty of examples of cliffhangers in famous thrillers! One that comes to mind is the ending of The Sixth Sense, where you find out near the end of the novel that Bruce Willis’ character has been dead the whole time.
Another example is the ending of Psycho, where you find out that Norman Bates has been dressing up as his dead mother all along. These examples show how a cliffhanger can change your perception of a story and leave you desperately wanting more!
Foreshadowing
When you want to hint at events that have not yet occurred in the story. You can use foreshadowing to create suspense, as the reader wonders what will happen next. You can also use foreshadowing to make a plot twist more shocking or unexpected.
Examples of foreshadowing:
There are countless examples of foreshadowing in favorite thrillers. The most memorable scenes include the following:
In William Golding’s Lord of the Flies, a group of boys stranded on an uninhabited island quickly descends into chaos. The novel is rife with examples of the boys losing their civilized veneer and devolving into savagery. The most brutal model comes near the end of the story, when Ralph, the protagonist, is chased by a group of boys intent on murdering him. One of the boys sadistically drops boulders on Piggy from a cliff, crushing him to death.
In Stephen King’s The Shining, several hints show that something is not quite right with Jack Torrance long before going completely mad. For example, early on in the novel, we learn that Jack has been discharged from a mental hospital after attempting to kill his wife. We also see him having a strange conversation with one of the hotel’s guests, in which he says that he sometimes feels like two people – one good and one bad. These examples foreshadow the events to come later in the novel when Jack finally does lose control and tries to kill his family.
Action
Action scenes are a great way to add excitement and tension to your story. They can be fast-paced and full of adrenaline or slow and suspenseful. Either way, action scenes should be well-written and easy for the reader to follow.
For example:
The famous “car chase scene” from The Bourne Identity comes to mind. This pulse-pounding sequence features Matt Damon’s character pursued by assassins through the streets of Paris. The fast-paced editing and heart-stopping action make it one of the most memorable scenes in the film.
Another excellent example of an action scene in a thriller is the showdown between Bruce Willis and Alan Rickman in Die Hard. This classic battle between good and evil is full of non-stop excitement and gives audiences a satisfying conclusion to an edge-of-your-seat thriller.
Tension
You can create tension when there is a conflict or problem that needs to be resolved. You can use tension to create suspense, as the reader wonders what will happen next. You can also use it to make a plot twist more shocking or unexpected.
For example:
One of the most famous examples of high tension in a thriller is Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho. The film is known for its iconic shower scene, which creates suspense by unexpectedly showing Norman Bates killing Marion Crane. Other classic thrillers that employ high tension techniques include The Silence of the Lambs, The Shining, and Jaws.
Mystery
Mystery is central to thrillers, as readers attempt to solve the puzzle before the protagonist does. You create mystery when you hide something or make it hard to understand. Then, you can use mystery to create suspense as the reader tries to figure out what is going on.
Some examples of mystery in a thriller could include a missing person, a crime committed but never solved, or even something as simple as a mysterious noise that only happens at night. Whatever it is, it should keep the reader guessing and wanting to find out more.
Use those elements to create an immersive reading experience
These devices create a sense of unease and tension in the reader, which is one of the hallmarks of a good thriller.
If you’re looking to write a thriller novel that will keep your readers on the edge of their seats, it might be helpful to practice your narrative writing skills using a few narrative essay samples to create an interesting story.
Writing descriptive essays, personal essays, or argumentative essays can be rewarding. It can lead to one great narrative essay of an exciting story that will become your template for writing a successful thriller novel – the complete story! That’s how important it is to practice.
When you write your narrative essays, you might want to experiment with writing from the first-person perspective for one essay and from a third-person perspective for another to find what feels most natural to you.
Just remember that the most important thing is to include all the key elements – they provide an immersive reading experience that is hard to find elsewhere.
Conclusion
So get started on your thriller writing today, and remember to add in plenty of suspense, action, tension, and mystery. Your readers will thank you!
If you’re working on your first novel and are looking for more help with your writing, please check out my other articles at https://ullahakanson.com/blog/
Happy journey!
Ulla