Not long ago, I read a great article (6 Secrets to Creating and Sustaining Suspense by Steven James) in WRITER'S DIGEST magazine (January 2012 issue, page 28), and it had a chart that detailed the differences between the categories of mystery, horror, and suspense.
I found it very interesting. I wish I had an online link to let you SEE the original chart, but I don't; so here's my variation of it:
MYSTERY
|
HORROR
|
SUSPENSE
|
|
Timing of Crime/Crisis
|
The violence occurs before the story begins.
|
Readers see it happening.
|
Readers anticipate that it will happen.
|
Narrative Question
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Who was responsible for the crime?
|
How will the character die?
|
How can the crisis or impending crime be averted?
|
Reader Orientation
|
Readers may lag behind the detective in understanding the
clues.
|
Readers view the action; they’re in on the secret.
|
Readers know about danger that the characters do not.
|
Reader Appeal
|
Head (intellectual curiosity)
|
Gut (visceral reaction)
|
Heart (worry and concern)
|
Which genre do you prefer to read? Write?
Editorial Note of Thanks: Diane Carlisle gave me the ONE LOVELY BLOG AWARD. Thanks! I will better acknowledge and pass along awards after my scheduled AtoZ posts. :)
