Suspense is built through setbacks.
When things are going well for a character, the reader is likely to set the book down.
(And why wouldn't she? There are a million other things vying for her attention at any given moment. If nothing is happening that will keep her glued to the page, why stick around?)
As humans, we're wired toward homeostasis (balance or equilibrium; in other words, things working as well as they possibly can). Our brains aren't fans of conflict. We don't like it. In fact, most of us avoid it at all costs.
As writers, it's hard for us to put characters in situations that would make us run for the closet and curl up in the fetal position, but we have to if we want to write a book that will keep readers turning pages late into the night.
So . . . when building your scenes, think in terms of setbacks.
Tell your character "no" as often as you can for as long as you can.
It will make that final "yes" much more satisfying in the end.
Be Brilliant!
~Katie~
