Behind the Scenes: Chapter Six of Wrongful Accusations
How to Build Tension Using Small, Unexpected Details
Chapter Six of Wrongful Accusations is all about surprises—some amusing, some unsettling, and some horrifying. Sassy’s night starts with casual drinks and wedding doubts, but by the time she returns home, she’s faced with something far more sinister: a warning she can’t ignore.
Here’s an excerpt:
All of that excitement made me want a drink. I had no gin, but I was sure the fridge had orange juice. When I opened the door, the most horrible thing looked out at me.
Since I was a Halloween baby, I wasn’t easily scared, but seeing a dead cat sitting on top of a container of sliced turkey wasn’t a nice thing to look at.
How I Came Up with This Scene
This chapter shifts between humor, mystery, and pure psychological suspense:
A False Sense of Security: The chapter starts with a lighthearted conversation between Sassy and her best friend, Cole Slaw, as they navigate wedding fears, creepy neighbors, and strong drinks. The easygoing dialogue makes what happens next even more shocking.
A Classic Thriller Element—The Unwanted Message: The note on Sassy’s door, “You will not continue to ignore me,” is a classic technique in suspense writing. A simple, quiet action—finding a note—can create more unease than an outright attack.
Escalating the Threat: The dead cat in the fridge is disturbing because it’s unexpected, deeply personal, and designed to send a message. It turns an everyday action (getting food) into a moment of horror.
By the end of the chapter, the tension has fully set in: someone is watching Sassy. Someone has crossed the line from intimidation to something far more menacing.
Writing Takeaway
If you want to build tension and suspense in your story:
Start with Normalcy: A shocking event is even more impactful if it interrupts a normal routine.
Use Small, Creepy Details: A mysterious note or an out-of-place object can be more unnerving than outright violence.
Make It Personal: Instead of just having a general threat, let the antagonist show that they know the main character’s habits and personal space—like leaving a message where only they would find it.
Try It Yourself
Think about a suspenseful scene in your writing. How can you use small details to build a sense of unease before something big happens?
I’d love to hear how you approach writing tension in your stories! Hit reply and let me know.
Until next time,
Susie
P.S. Catch up on all chapters of Wrongful Accusations here.
P.P.S. Check out the other breakdowns here.
Starting with normalcy before introducing suspense is such a clever technique. Do you have a favorite example where this worked really well in a story?