Sunday, January 12, 2014

Talk Scheduled on January 25

On Saturday, January 25th, I’ll be giving a presentation on generating suspense in fiction at the Biloxi Library from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. This is the branch at 587 Howard Ave., Biloxi, MS, 39530. The phone number I have listed for them is 228 436-3095. My talk is being sponsored by the Gulf Coast Writers Association but is free and open to the public. If you’re interested, here is the GCWA’s website and facebook page.

Suspense is what keeps readers turning the pages. At the simplest level, it is about wanting to know what happens next. I’ll be talking primarily about dark suspense, which is the kind you find in thrillers, mysteries, and horror fiction, but most of the elements I’ll discuss will have relevance to any kind of suspense, including romantic and comedic.

If you’re going to be in that area on January 25, I’d love to see you.

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14 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

That's awesome, Charles! Sorry, several states away or I would come hear you.

Charles Gramlich said...

Alex, thanks, man.

Cloudia said...

Sorry, Charles;
That's Chinese New Year AND our 28th anniversary of the night we met!

Oh, and I'm several thousand miles away; I know you'll understand.



ALOHA from Honolulu
Comfort Spiral
> < } } ( ° >

Ty said...

Wish I could be there. Love to hear your talk.

Prashant C. Trikannad said...

Charles, I hope you'll write a post about your presentation on suspense, especially dark suspense. It's a broad term without a clear-cut definition.

Charles Gramlich said...

Cloudia, I didn't think you'd be likely to make it. :)

Ty, not a problem.

Prashant, I will. I may also do another fiction techniques article about some of it.

pattinase (abbott) said...

Would have loved to hear it, Charles! Best wishes.

Charles Gramlich said...

Patti, thanks!

Casey said...

I wonder what you think about The Da Vinci Code. I haven't read it but I recall reading that it's written in small-ish chunks that keep one turning the pages. I have been meaning to look it over as a study in successfully drawing in the reader via suspense. Not likely I'll be able to make the talk, but I hope there will be another in Louisiana sometime.

Riot Kitty said...

I wish I was closer! Hope it goes swimmingly.

Brian Miller said...

oh i agree....creating tension pulls the reader further into the story...wish i was nearby, that would be cool...

Charles Gramlich said...

Riot Kitty, I'm getting ready. I think it will be fun.

Brian, the modern world. Few of those we communicate with regularly are anywhere physically close to us.

jodi said...

Charles-I would love to be there to hear you do your thing. I'm sure it will be amazing!

Charles Gramlich said...

Jodi, thankee