(July 11, 1977)
There are two kinds of suspense: that of form and that of substance. Formalistic suspense occurs when the author withholds a piece of important information; you read on to find out what that piece of data is; or it is an interruption – a chapter break or plot interpolation – at a high point of action; or it springs from skillful foreshadowing, although this last is a part of the first.
Substantive suspense occurs when there is an unresolved conflict. The tension of the conflict builds; the point of crisis seems falsely to be reached several times. This tension must be purged violently. There must be some physical action in the climax to dissipate it.
