Join bestselling author Ashley Kalagian Blunt in this practical three-part course on crime writing.
KYD members can enjoy $50 off this course until 11.59pm (AEST) Sunday 4 May. To claim this discount, become a member here.
Suspense is crucial to crafting thrillers that keep readers turning pages. And while suspense may feel like a vibe when we’re reading, there are surprisingly practical techniques we can use to strengthen it in our writing, and dramatically raise the quality of our manuscripts.
Whether you’ve got an idea or a completed draft, the lessons and exercises in this course will help you improve your understanding of how suspense works, what narrative drive actually is, and how you can use these concepts to hook readers.
You will learn to:
- Build suspense at the macro and micro levels of narrative
- Understand how suspense, pace, momentum and tension contribute to narrative drive
- Analyse the components of suspense through readings and discussion
- Use scene ‘polarity’ to strengthen your manuscript
- Enhance the atmosphere and tone of your writing to increase suspense.
The course is designed to take you 5-6 hours in total, and can be completed in short stages at your convenience. Scroll down to see the full course curriculum and a list of frequently asked questions.
KYD Members receive a 10% discount on this course and all other KYD online courses throughout the year. Become a member here, or contact [email protected] for more information.
Want to buy a course for a friend? Purchase a gift voucher here.
Your Teacher: Ashley Kalagian Blunt
Ashley Kalagian Blunt is the bestselling author of Dark Mode, a psychological thriller published in multiple languages, and shortlisted for the 2024 ABIA General Fiction Book of the Year, the Ned Kelly Awards for Best Crime Fiction, and the Danger Award for Debut Fiction. Her earlier books are How to Be Australian, a memoir, and My Name Is Revenge, collected fiction and essays. Ashley also co-hosts James and Ashley Stay at Home, a podcast about creativity, writing and health. Her latest thrillers are Cold Truth and Like, Follow, Die.
Your School: Kill Your Darlings
Founded in 2010, Kill Your Darlings (KYD) is one of Australia’s most trusted independent literary organisations.
In addition to championing Australian writers in our vibrant and eclectic online magazine, KYD also runs several writing awards and provides professional services such as online writing courses, mentorships and manuscript assessments.
To take full advantage of all KYD's opportunities, services and generous discounts, please consider becoming a member today.
Visit killyourdarlings.com.au to find out more.
Curriculum
- Part One Introduction: Two Kinds of Books (1:37)
- Key Terms
- What is Suspense?
- The Four Essential Components of Narrative Drive
- Exercise: The Secret History
- Raising Questions in the Reader’s Mind
- Intros to Dark Mode and Cold Truth
- Story Loops
- Exercise: Raising questions
- Suggested Responses
- Crafting Suspense
- Exercise: Raising questions
- Your Protagonist’s Goal
- Establish Stakes and Obstacles
- Exercise: Goals, stakes and obstacles
- Dark Mode Prologue Responses
- How Goals, Stakes and Obstacles Affect Plot and Character Arcs
- Three Levels of Conflict
- Exercise: Amp up the conflict
- Exercise: Getting started with scenes
- Part One Conclusion: Let’s talk about engines (2:41)
- Part Two Introduction: Breaking down scenes (1:47)
- A Common Manuscript Issue
- The Two Main Narrative Modes: Scene
- The Two Main Narrative Modes: Summary
- Scene Versus Summary
- Exercise: Scene versus summary
- Responses
- Scenes Versus Vignettes
- So What Makes a Scene?
- Understanding the Turn
- Cheat Sheet: The five parts of scene
- Important Notes on Structure
- Scene Analysis: Phantom Prey by John Sandford
- Exercise: Three levels of conflict
- Responses
- Exercise: Analysing In the Woods by Tana French
- Responses
- Exercise: Analysing Dark Mode
- Responses
- Exercise: Analysing Cold Truth
- Responses
- Exercise: Developing your scenes
- Part Two Conclusion: From initial idea to Dark Mode (4:59)
- Part Three Introduction: More suspense techniques (1:32)
- Scene Polarity
- Exercise: Scene polarity
- Suggested Responses
- Tracking Your Polarity (5:05)
- Building Suspense Through Setting
- Exercise: Analysing setting and atmosphere
- Strategies for Building Suspense with Setting
- Exercise: Enhancing your atmosphere
- Building Suspense through Tone
- Analysing Tone
- Exercise: Enhancing your tone
- Exercise: Your suspense-filled scene
- Conclusion: Suspense is only one aspect of a manuscript that works (5:33)
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the course start and finish?
The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish. We encourage you to approach this material not just as lessons to be finished once and for all, but also as a collection of resources to which you can return time and again.
How long do I have access to the course?
Forever! After enrolling, you have unlimited lifetime access to this course - across any and all devices you own.
Does the teacher provide feedback?
No. If you are interested in receiving feedback on your project, we encourage you to check out KYD's Manuscript Assessment Service: https://killyourdarlings.com.au/shop/manuscript-assessments/
How do I access my course?
All our online workshops are hosted at workshops.killyourdarlings.com.au, via the Teachable platform. You can access your workshop by logging in at that link, or by following the link in your welcome email when you enrol. Please note that as the Teachable platform is a separate website to KYD you will need to create a new account, and will not be able to use your KYD login details.
I'm a KYD member. How do I receive my 10% discount?
Click on 'Enrol in course for $169'. Enter the coupon code that was emailed to you when you became a KYD member at checkout, underneath the tutor's photo.
What if I have another question?
You can email us at [email protected] and we'll be happy to help!