Emma Bilz asked Charlaine Harris:

Hello Charlaine. I have a quick question, how do you build suspense in your stories? I’m writing a story myself and I’m having trouble getting across the same tension as you create in your books (which I love). Are there any specific techniques you make use of?

Charlaine Harris Emma, I think experience is a large part of the suspense element. Books have a rhythm, and I think if you observe a book you're fond of, you will see there are moments that are intended to relax the reader, and then moments intended to tighten the suspense so the reader is compelled to gallop forward. When you're doing the suspense-tightening, don't put in any extra material, like description that's unneeded. Every sentence should tighten the noose a bit more. Does this make sense.

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