Be sure to check out guest speaker Hussein Al-Baiaty, who shared his journey as an author and entrepreneur and emphasized storytelling, branding, and creative marketing. You will find him under Classroom/Guest Expert Training. You will also find Pam Rossi teaching about audiobooks.

In this blog post Author Lana McCara explores the delicate balance writers must achieve when building suspense that is both compelling and believable. Building suspense in fiction requires more than withholding information or shocking the reader. The strongest suspense comes from controlling when readers receive information, establishing credibility, and allowing tension to build before the story reaches its most difficult moments. Be sure to let us know your thoughts in the comments. Writing on a Knife’s Edge: Balancing Suspense, Credibility, and the Cringe Factor Building suspense in fiction requires more than withholding information or shocking the reader. The strongest suspense comes from controlling when readers receive information, establishing credibility, and allowing tension to build before the story reaches its most difficult moments. Every writer knows the moment. You’re re-reading a scene that matters, and something tightens in your chest. Is this believable? Is this too much? Have I crossed a line I can’t uncross? Cringe Is Not the Enemy. Disbelief Is. Writers often call this the “cringe factor,” but that word is misleading. Cringe is not the enemy. Disbelief is. The distinction matters. Discomfort is a valid, and often necessary, reader response. It means the story is working. Disbelief, on the other hand, breaks the spell. The reader stops trusting the story and starts judging the writer. Suspense Depends on When You Reveal Information Manuscripts stumble when the timing is wrong. Writers tend to think credibility is about facts. It’s not. It’s about sequence. When information arrives too early, it flattens tension. When it arrives too late, it feels manipulative. When it arrives at the wrong moment, it triggers disbelief, even if the event itself is historically accurate, psychologically plausible, or painfully common. This is where many writers miscalculate the edge they’re walking. They fear the reader will miss the point, so they explain too much or too soon. They tell things before giving the reader time to feel them. They label danger before the story earns it.

Are you looking to improve your writing craft? Learn more about publishing and book marketing? Be sure to look for our Writing Wisdom Wednesday Blog Post! Each Wednesday we will post articles under the Publishing, Writing Craft, or Book Marketing Tab. I'll be sure to remind you there's a new post each Wednesday!

Authors and writers, share one win from your week—big or small—and let’s celebrate the progress you’re making on your writing journey!

What makes you give up on a book you were initially excited to read?