Lesson 8. Suspense (or Cognitive Magnetism) │The Mechanics of Fiction Writing

Understanding Suspense in Storytelling

The Philosophy of Writing

• This lesson focuses on the cognitive framework for writing, emphasizing that it’s less about technique and more about understanding what interests readers.

• The goal is not merely to write an interesting story but to engage another person's brain, pulling them from their daily life into your narrative.

Engaging the Reader's Attention

• All human brains share similar neuroanatomy and processes; thus, capturing attention requires generating interest through compelling content.

• Suspense is identified as a crucial tool for maintaining reader interest; its absence can lead to unengaging narratives.

Defining Suspense

• Commonly associated with thrillers, suspense is often misunderstood as just a narrative device; however, it is fundamentally an emotional experience tied to uncertainty and stakes.

• Real-life experiences of suspense occur outside fiction—waiting for significant events or during tense situations illustrates this universal feeling.

Emotional Connection Through Suspense

• Readers experience various emotions while engaging with stories, such as sadness or euphoria, which are linked to the tension created by suspense.

• The aim of storytelling is to evoke these feelings by creating scenarios where outcomes are uncertain yet impactful.

The Science Behind Emotional Engagement

• Humans naturally create emotional connections with characters and narratives; this ability distinguishes us from other primates according to neurobiologist Robert Sapolsky.

• Developmental psychology shows that even infants assign roles and emotions to simple shapes, indicating an innate capacity for narrative engagement.

Understanding Stress as Suspense

• Sapolsky suggests that suspense can be equated with stress—a fundamental emotion that drives engagement.

Understanding the Nature of Stress

The Duality of Stress

• Stress can be both beneficial and detrimental, depending on its intensity and context. Mild, transient stress in a positive environment is often enjoyable.

• Optimal stress levels lead to engagement and stimulation, allowing individuals to embrace challenges rather than feeling overwhelmed.

The Role of Context in Stress

• In benign situations, people willingly give up control for the thrill of unexpected challenges, such as roller-coaster rides or competitive sports.

• Moderate stress activates brain functions positively; it enhances dopamine release, which is crucial for motivation and pleasure.

The Connection Between Narrative Suspense and Stress

Crafting Engaging Narratives

• A well-constructed plot should induce a "Goldilocks zone" of stress that keeps readers engaged throughout the story.

• The goal is to evoke benevolent stress in readers' brains through suspenseful storytelling techniques.

Defining Narrative Suspense

• Marie-Laure Ryan defines narrative suspense as the reader's desire for knowledge at the end of a narrative. However, this definition may be too narrow.

• Readers seek not only knowledge but also emotional experiences throughout the narrative journey, anticipating climaxes and resolutions.

Emotional Complexity in Storytelling

The Nature of Emotions

• Emotions are complex and varied; they play a significant role in how stories resonate with audiences.

• Different scenarios elicit different emotional responses even when described using similar terms (e.g., embarrassment).

The Importance of Varied Suspense

• Just like emotions vary based on context, suspense must be appropriately diffused throughout a narrative to maintain interest.

• Effective narratives build tension leading up to climactic moments while managing reader expectations along the way.

The Appeal of Suspense Across Mediums

Universal Love for Suspense

• People universally enjoy suspense across various forms—sports, politics, movies—indicating its broad appeal.

• Engaging storytelling can create cognitive simulations that captivate audiences by tapping into their love for suspenseful experiences.

Behavioral Contagion in Storytelling

Understanding the Value of Storytelling

The Social Nature of Storytelling

• A large audience can signal the value of a story; if many people are interested, it likely deserves attention.

• Over time, storytellers who create suspense attract more listeners, leading to larger crowds and increased interest in their narratives.

• Technological structures (like theaters and publishing houses) now serve as signals indicating that certain stories are worth the audience's time and investment.

The Importance of Initial Engagement

• Physical books and storytelling situations inherently convey a baseline level of suspense to readers, similar to how a crowd indicates value.

• Authors have a limited "grace period" to capture reader interest; unless they are well-known like Stephen King, they must quickly engage their audience.

Strategies for Capturing Attention

• Readers may only give an author one or two pages before deciding whether to continue; thus, initial cues of suspense are crucial.