SPECIAL EDITION MARCH/APRIL 2020 Southern Writers_MAR-APR_2020 (5) | Page 8

how p.m. terrell
keeps us
in suspense
by Susan Reichert
A
ttention all writers! Would you like to know how you
could become a master at creating suspense? p.m.
terrell, who is definitely a master at creating suspense
for her readers, gives you information on her training.
“I have always been interested in the criminal element,
which I attribute to my father, a retired FBI agent. Though
he couldn’t discuss case specifics, I knew generally what types
of work he was involved in. Later, I developed a specialty in
computer crime and computer Intelligence. I founded and
operated two computer companies; my clients included the
CIA, United States Secret Service, and the Department of
Defense, as well as local law enforcement.
“When I began writing suspense, I analyzed books
that kept me turning the pages. I looked at each scene to
determine what the author did to elicit emotions from the
reader—fright, apprehension, that feeling that makes you
want to look over your shoulder. If I watch a movie that
frightens me, I will rent the DVD, turn on the director’s
comments, and analyze each scene to determine how they
created that mounting suspense. Then I apply all these
to my own writing.”
Every writer wants to impel their readers to turn the pages,
the chapters, and want to read more of their work. Obviously,
it takes work and a strong attention to detail.
“My background is in computers, where everything must
be precise or the program won’t work as designed. I have a
very analytical mind and I often was tasked with searching
for details that others had missed. I think I brought this
same ability to my writing. I naturally check every detail in
every book for technical and grammatical accuracy, which
means I write slowly.” Slow or not, p.m. terrell’s books are
riveting with suspense. You are on the edge of your seat
and don’t dare put the book down; you’ve got to see what
happens.
Her characters come to life, how else could you describe
them? Because of that, we wanted to know the process she
uses to create her characters.
“First, I determine why I am introducing the character
and whether he or she is inherently good or evil. I have
an arsenal of reference books that I’ll pore through,
8    Southern Writers
looking for just the right details: the color of the eyes
that can pull people in or repel them; the skin tone
and body type; thinning or thick hair or balding; facial
features that readers will remember long after they put
down the book.
“I delve into personality types from personalities
that always seem in conflict with one another (great for
antagonist-protagonist struggles, or boss-employee conflict)
as well as those that are drawn to one another (great for
lovers). I will look at nationalities and I often select names
that mean something in particular; it might be of Irish,
African, or Danish origin, for example. Nicknames will
draw readers to a character while formal names keep them
at arm’s length and names that sound like something evil
will instantly repel them.”
It is only natural at this point to want to follow
p.m. terrell to find out how she prepares for writing a
suspense book. She has been most gracious to share the
following: “The first thing I do is determine the crime.
That dictates whether I’ll be writing political suspense,
psychological suspense or a techno-thriller. I’ll determine