Have you ever read a book so thrilling that you find it nearly impossible to stop once you reach the end of a chapter because you must find out what happens next? You must be reading a page-turner! Suspenseful stories that keep the reader hooked from beginning to end are known as page-turners. These stories span various genres, including murder mystery, science fiction, psychological thriller, historical fiction, and literary fiction.
One of the best-known page-turning classics is Alexandre Dumas’s The Count of Monte Cristo. While the past generation of writers has given the world some of the best reads we now enjoy, modern storytellers have continuously made some waves to do the same. Among the rising page-turners today is Bruce N. Ball, author of Quinn’s Dilemma: Trapped Between The Justice Dept., The Mob and a Notorious Union Brings Intrigue, Violence and Murder.
We’ll get into what makes Bruce’s work a worthwhile read, but before that, let’s identify what makes a fast-paced, readable, and page-turning novel. Numerous characteristics distinguish a fascinating book that leaves its readers on the edge of their seats from a less appealing one that makes readers fall asleep. This blog is for writers who seek to excel in the writing world.
Characteristics of a Page -Turner
- Fast-Paced
In page-turning books, the story always moves forward with new twists and turns, leaving the reader at the edge of their seat. Even during the slower parts, the tension builds up, like when a roller-coaster car slowly inches forward before plunging into a heart-stopping drop.
- Contains Cliffhangers
Cliffhangers make readers want to binge their way through a book or get the next book in a series. One example of a critical moment in a story is when the protagonist confronts a life-threatening situation or a shocking revelation that could alter the narrative’s course.
- A Great Story Structure
A well-structured story serves as a guide to lead your readers from the start to the end of your book. It involves introducing characters and settings, setting up conflict, developing plot points, and resolving it. It creates tension, suspense, and surprise – essential for almost any story.
Listed above are just three common characteristics of a page-turning literary work. Those may be expanded as you go through your work and dive deep into the heart of your writing process.
How to Write a Page -Turner
Regardless of the genre, the one common thread in page-turners is their ability to capture the reader’s attention and maintain it throughout the story. Crafting suspenseful novels that grip readers from start to finish is a challenging skill to master. Fortunately, numerous techniques can be incorporated into your writing process to help create an engaging story. Below are a few of those.
- Employ Sensory Imagery in Your Work
When describing something, it’s essential to use all your senses – not just sight. Including details about taste, smell, sound, and texture helps to bring a scene to life and gives readers a clearer mental image of what is happening. Using imagery and sensory descriptions, you can provide readers with as much information as possible.
- Create a Stunning Plot Twist
You must create a suspenseful plot full of thrilling twists and turns to make your readers eagerly turn the pages of your book or series. One way to do this is to incorporate cliffhangers that leave your readers on the edge of their seats. Use descriptive language to remind your readers of the potential dangers and keep them fully engaged in the story.
- Use a Compelling Villain
How you build the characters of your work is one of the foundations of how your story will move forward. Villains are as crucial as heroes in defining the story, driving conflict, and captivating the readers. Turn your villains into three-dimensional characters through a backstory.
- Build Bigger Conflict
A writer’s role is to create a captivating story by introducing conflicts for the protagonist to overcome. Obstacles are a literary device that can generate tension, transform characters, and steer the narrative in a new direction.
Writing Your Page- Turner
It takes years of practice to develop and hone the ability to build tension that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Still, every writer can create a page-turning novel, whether a high-paced action thriller or an introspective character drama. The key to keeping readers engaged and excited is narrative drive.
Also, curating your reading list is an excellent way to gain more insights into writing. If you are writing suspense or thrilling fiction, Quinn’s Dilemma: Trapped Between The Justice Dept., The Mob and a Notorious Union Brings Intrigue, Violence and Murder makes an enthralling read. Bruce N. Ball’s book is available on the ReadersMagnet Bookstore, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble. Learn more about Bruce N. Ball and his works by visiting www.bruceballquinnsdilemma.com.
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References:
What Makes a Book a Page Turner?
10 Epic Page-Turning Novels
The Secret to Writing a Page-Turning Novel
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