I couldn’t decide what to blog about this month and it didn’t become clear to me until I started working on the graphics. I started out with a background.

But what would make the picture more interesting? An old house?

Who do you think lives there? An old man or woman with lots of stories to tell? Or maybe someone who enjoys the isolation—a retired celebrity, perhaps. Or could it be someone hiding from the world for their own safety? Hmmm. Now it’s getting interesting. But, alone, the house and the field aren’t enough to pique your interest. Are they?

What about now? Is this child out here by herself? To be honest I’m a little worried, so I create a story to feel better: Her mother or grandmother are in the big house. They’ll call her in for supper soon.

But wait.

I must admit, adding this critter to the picture really makes my heart pound. Now I’m asking myself, “Where is her mother? Who will save her? And then I imagine her mother coming from the house and scaring away the huge cat.

But then—this. Is that the girl’s mother hanging from that cliff? Now THIS is a cliffhanger.

I put some images together in such a way to make you worry about a character (or two). That’s what writing suspense is about.

Are you worried about the girl? Are you worried about her mom? I’m worried about them both because I haven’t yet figured out an ending to the story that allows them to be safe. But I will, because that’s my job as a writer. And if worrying about the little girl and her mother keep you from worrying about your own big cat for a while, then I’ve achieved my goal.

I’ll keep writing (cliffhangers).

Please keep reading.