How can you create suspense in a podcast narrative arc?

1 Use cliffhangers

Cliffhangers are endings that leave your listeners hanging and wanting more. They can be questions, revelations, twists, or challenges that create a sense of uncertainty or danger for your characters or your topic. Cliffhangers can be used at the end of episodes, seasons, or segments to motivate your listeners to tune in next time. For example, you can end an episode with a shocking discovery, a surprising confession, or a looming threat that affects your plot or your theme.

2 Vary your pace

Pace is the speed and rhythm of your podcast narrative arc. It can affect how your listeners feel and react to your story or topic. You can vary your pace to create suspense by alternating between fast and slow scenes, or between action and dialogue, or between exposition and emotion. For example, you can use fast pace to create excitement, urgency, or tension, and slow pace to create mystery, suspense, or depth. You can also use pauses, silences, or music to create contrast and impact in your pace.

3 Foreshadow and hint

Foreshadowing and hinting are techniques that give your listeners clues or hints about what will happen later in your podcast narrative arc. They can be subtle or obvious, direct or indirect, verbal or non-verbal. Foreshadowing and hinting can create suspense by building anticipation, curiosity, or dread in your listeners. For example, you can foreshadow and hint by using flashbacks, flash-forwards, symbols, motifs, or themes that relate to your plot or your message.

4 Use unreliable narrators

Unreliable narrators are narrators who are not trustworthy or accurate in their storytelling. They can be biased, dishonest, confused, or deluded. Unreliable narrators can create suspense by making your listeners doubt, question, or challenge their perspective or their information. For example, you can use unreliable narrators by revealing their secrets, motives, or inconsistencies, or by contrasting their narration with other sources, such as interviews, documents, or evidence.

5 Raise the stakes

Stakes are the consequences or the risks that your characters or your topic face in your podcast narrative arc. They can be personal, professional, social, or moral. Raising the stakes can create suspense by increasing the pressure, the conflict, or the dilemma that your characters or your topic have to deal with. For example, you can raise the stakes by introducing new obstacles, complications, or enemies, or by escalating the danger, the urgency, or the importance of your plot or your theme.

By applying these tips and techniques, you can create suspense in your podcast narrative arc and keep your listeners engaged and intrigued. Suspense can make your podcast more memorable, impactful, and enjoyable for your audience.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?