Suspense He had never killed a man before. Looking down at the lifeless body at his feet, Harold wondered if it would be the last time. Want to know more? Good. That’s the point. So how do you create this suspense? It’s easier than you think. Just keep two things in mind when you construct your story- conflict, and question. Conflict drives all fiction. There’s no story without it. Let me show you an example of writing devoid of conflict. Helen sat comfortably in her easy chair. She had a bow.