It was a stormy day when I sat down with Orion to talk about using AI to build tension in thrillers. The weather outside—thunder, rain, and flashes of lightning—seemed like the perfect backdrop to our discussion. Orion admitted that thrillers weren’t usually his genre, but he was curious about how AI could help create the kind of tension that keeps readers glued to the page.
Our conversation quickly uncovered an important realization: the techniques that make thrillers so engaging, like pacing and atmosphere, can be applied to any story. AI, with its ability to suggest nuanced changes in these areas, offers writers a way to build suspense in scenes that might otherwise feel flat. Together, we explored how AI can be used to craft moments of tension that resonate across genres.
Using AI to Heighten Tension
As Orion and I dove into the details, we focused on how AI can enhance two key areas in thrillers: atmosphere and pacing. These are the building blocks of any good suspenseful scene, and AI’s ability to analyze and recommend adjustments in these areas can make a huge difference.
- Setting the Atmosphere
We began by talking about the power of atmosphere in building tension. AI can help create subtle environmental details that enhance the mood of a scene. Imagine a character walking down a deserted street at night. AI might suggest the flicker of a streetlight, the rustle of leaves, or a faint echo of footsteps in the distance. These sensory elements heighten the sense of unease without needing the character to react dramatically.
Orion agreed that this kind of atmosphere-building could work in any genre. It doesn’t have to be about fear—it can be anticipation or uncertainty. By allowing AI to suggest these details, writers can ensure that even a quiet moment carries tension, making the reader feel something is lurking just beneath the surface.
- Pacing and Momentum
Pacing is everything in a thriller, and AI is a great tool for fine-tuning it. Orion and I discussed how AI can help regulate the rhythm of a story, especially in scenes where tension needs to be carefully balanced between action and quiet moments of suspense. Too much action, and the tension loses its impact. Too many slow moments, and the reader’s attention drifts.
AI can analyze the flow of your story and suggest when to speed things up or slow things down. For example, it might recommend inserting a pause in the middle of a conversation or delaying a character’s realization of danger by a beat or two. These small adjustments can keep readers engaged, building their anticipation for the next big twist.
