How can a plot in a short story create suspense?

Well, one way is to have a ticking clock element. Make the readers feel like time is running out for the characters. Another is to give the characters impossible choices. And don't forget to play with the readers' expectations - make them think one thing is going to happen and then surprise them!

A crime short story can create suspense in several ways. Firstly, by introducing an unreliable narrator. The reader is constantly doubting what they are being told, which adds to the tension. Secondly, the use of foreshadowing. Hinting at future events without giving away too much makes the reader eager to find out what will happen. And thirdly, having multiple suspects with equally valid motives keeps the reader guessing about who the real criminal is. For instance, if all the suspects seem to have a good reason for wanting the victim dead, the reader will be on the edge of their seat trying to figure it out.

Suspense in a stalking short story can be created in multiple ways. Firstly, the author can use a slow - burn approach. Start with small, almost imperceptible signs of stalking, like the victim noticing that their things have been slightly moved in their house or that they keep getting hang - up calls. As the story progresses, these incidents escalate. The author can also play with the point of view. If the story is told from the victim's point of view, the reader experiences the same confusion and fear as the character. Additionally, introducing false leads can be effective. For example, the victim might suspect a friend or neighbor of being the stalker, only to find out later that it's someone completely different. This keeps the reader guessing and the suspense high.

A character can create suspense by keeping secrets or withholding crucial information. This makes the reader eager to know what's being hidden.

Start with a mysterious opening. Don't reveal everything upfront. Let the readers wonder and ask questions.

You can start by leaving some key details mysterious or hinting at something without revealing it all. Build up the tension gradually through the characters' actions and reactions.

One way is through the use of setting. For example, describe a dark, abandoned alley where the crime took place. The overgrown weeds, the broken streetlights, and the damp walls can all add to the sense of unease. Another way is to delay the revelation of key information. Don't immediately show who the culprit is. Let the reader wonder as the detective follows different leads. For instance, introduce several suspects with their own motives and alibis, making the reader guess which one is the real criminal.

Goosebumps short stories build suspense through pacing. They start slow, introducing the characters and the normal setting. Then, little by little, they introduce the abnormal elements. The author also uses foreshadowing. Maybe a character mentions something small, like a strange noise they heard last night, and later it turns out to be a big part of the horror. This makes the reader constantly anticipate what will happen next.

You can create suspense by leaving the reader in the dark about certain crucial details or by introducing time pressure for the characters.

The use of limited information also adds to the suspense. We only know what the sniper knows, which is not much about the overall situation. We don't know how many enemies are out there or what their next move will be. This lack of knowledge makes the story more suspenseful as we read on to find out.