Use "very big" (a vast city) or "very small" (a locked elevator) spaces to heighten the mood.
The danger should be personal. An asteroid hitting Earth is "big," but a mother trying to save her daughter from that asteroid is a story people care about. 5.4 / 10 ThrillerVi...
Once you set a deadline, shorten it mid-way through to increase desperation. Use "very big" (a vast city) or "very
Every scene must count. A good rule of thumb is to end chapters by answering one question while asking two more. 🏗️ 10 Steps to Crafting Suspense Once you set a deadline, shorten it mid-way
Movies with mid-range ratings often provide the best lessons in what not to do. Movie / Series Formulaic plot and low stakes when the timer is long.
The 10 Commandments of How to Write a Thriller - Writer's Digest