--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If the writer wants to create suspense…" description: "\"“If the writer wants to create suspense, or build tension, or make the reader wait and wonder, or join a journey of discovery, or hold on for dear life..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f33/roy-peter-clark-22013_books_if-the-writer-wants-to-create-suspense-o_238071.png" --- # If the writer wants to create suspense, or build tension… ![“If the writer wants to create suspense, or build tension, or make the reader wait and wonder, or join a journey of discovery, or hold on for dear life, he can save subject and verb of the main clause until later. As I just did.” quote by Roy Peter Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f33/roy-peter-clark-22013_books_if-the-writer-wants-to-create-suspense-o_238071.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f33/roy-peter-clark-22013_books_if-the-writer-wants-to-create-suspense-o_238071.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f33/roy-peter-clark-22013_books_if-the-writer-wants-to-create-suspense-o_238071.png) > ““If the writer wants to create suspense, or build tension, or make the reader wait and wonder, or join a journey of discovery, or hold on for dear life, he can save subject and verb of the main clause until later. As I just did.”” [Roy Peter Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-peter-clark/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Delaying the main clause’s subject and verb builds suspense and keeps readers engaged. **In simple terms:** Delay key info to create tension. Key Takeaway Use delayed structure for suspense. Themes writing technique storytelling suspense Mood analytical creative Type educational craftsmanship When to use this quote - novel writing - screenplays - marketing copy Key Concepts syntax narrative pacing Questions to Reflect On - When is delayed syntax effective? - How does it affect pacing? A Different Perspective If overused, it can frustrate readers. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Suspense](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suspense/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [A woman, I always say, should be like a good suspense movie: The more left to the imagination, the more excitement there is. 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