Write a paragraph or short scene of your character eating lunch, shopping, networking, etc., but make it suspenseful. It's a way to practice writing suspense, and it shows that anything can be suspenseful. Feel free to share what you come up with.
Screenwriting : Suspense Writing Exercise by Maurice Vaughan
Suspense Writing Exercise
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She eats lunch alone at the café counter, plastic fork hovering like it’s wired to a bomb. Every bite crunches too loud. The man two stools down hasn’t touched his sandwich in ten minutes. He keeps checking his phone, then her reflection in the napkin dispenser. She pretends not to notice, unwraps her cookie slowly, buys time. The bell over the door jingles. The man stiffens. So does she. When he finally stands and leaves, her phone buzzes in her lap with a blocked number. The cookie goes untouched. Appetite gone. Whatever this was, it isn’t over.
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At her desk, Lucy takes a break from the crushing boredom of work. She munches her usual lunch and browses the internet in search of sales for shoes she can't afford.
Her eyes pop.
On the screen, a police Blue Alert flashes to show a still of Lucy at her desk as she munches her usual lunch and browses the internet. The alert: Wanted for first degree murder. Armed and dangerous.
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INT. ROADSIDE DINER - DAY
Beni slides into the corner booth.
His half finished plate waits.
His fingers reach out. Grasp.
The French fry glides through a mottled mound of ketchup.
Circle, circle, circle.
He forces his shoulders to remain relaxed as the woman approaches.
MISTY
You shouldn't be here Benito.
His brow arches up.
The fry in his hand continues its dance.
Circle.
Circle.
MISTY
I know you heard me.
He inclines his head.
Lets the fry fall into the ruddy pile of sauce.
Picks up the remnants of his sandwich instead.
Crusty bread passes his lips.
MISTY
Nothing to say?
He exhales, long and loud.
Looks up at her.
He chews with intent, then swallows.
BENI
Not much, no.
He looks back at his plate.
The dance of the fries.
MISTY
I said you shouldn't be here!
He inclines his head again. Pops the fry in his .mouth.
BENI
Yep.
She huffs.
MISTY
Yep. And?
He looks up at her again.
BENI
And I'm still here.
She slaps a stack of tickets on the table.
Leans close to his face.
MISTY
Then pay your tabs off!
He glances at the pile of papers.
Sniffs.
BENI
Fine. Total it up.
Misty snatches up the tickets.
Moves to the register.
The clack of keys sounds too loud in the lingering quiet.
Beni stands.
Sips his tea.
Walks out with a grin that spreads further at the shouts behind him.
#
Thanks for the prompt Maurice! This was fun!
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INT- RESTYRANT -NIGHT
SHE was sitting infront of him with her eyes fixed at him ,there were two main dishes on table of shrimp ,he was holding the fork towards his mouth with shrimp looking at her
He
Why your looking at me
Did I miss you that much
She
( with faint smile)
Is it delicious, I mean the shrimp
He
Yes it is
She
But you used to have fate allergy from it
Dropping the fork from his hand and coughing ,she give him glass of water
She
Tell me who realy are you
No one speaks for amoment only there eyes look could tell
These are great, everyone! I'm hungry now. Haha Eating, washing a car, checking an email, buying groceries, finding something to wear, warming up for a game, etc. can be suspenseful. And writers can build stories around suspenseful things like these. Thanks for doing the exercise.
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Put a mouse under the table. Everyone will ask themselves if the mouse is hungry enough to try to eat of the food while the woman is there.