What are the characteristics of the authors of suspense novels?
Authors of suspense novels often have a great sense of pacing. They know how to build tension gradually, like slowly turning the screw. For example, Agatha Christie was a master at this. She would introduce characters and clues bit by bit, leading the reader deeper into the mystery. They also tend to be very good at creating unexpected twists. Dan Brown is great at this. His novels are full of revelations that shock the reader.
Many authors of suspense novels are highly imaginative. They need to come up with unique and often dark scenarios. Take Stephen King for instance. His mind seems to be a cauldron of the most terrifying and suspenseful ideas. They are also detail - oriented. Patricia Highsmith would describe her settings and characters in great detail, which added to the overall sense of unease and suspense in her novels. They are able to make the ordinary seem extraordinary and full of danger.
Authors of suspense novels usually have a knack for creating complex characters. In Gillian Flynn's 'Gone Girl', the characters are multi - faceted and their actions are not always predictable, which adds to the suspense. They are also masters of misdirection. They can lead the reader to believe one thing while the truth is something entirely different. This is evident in many of James Patterson's novels. Moreover, they often have a good understanding of human psychology as they use it to create suspense, making the readers feel the characters' fears and anxieties.
