Plot Questions are an important strategy I use to increase tension in the story and keep the reader turning the page. This is a technique I try to use at the end of every chapter. Sometimes that chapter doesn’t need one and I don’t use it, but usually, when you look through my chapters, you’ll find a plot question at the end.

A plot question is when you actually pose a question at the end of the chapter that makes the reader wonder what will happen next. You see this frequently in the Harry Potter books; it keeps you interested in the main story line: what is the Sorcerer’s Stone, what’s next in the TriWizard Tournament, or what will Dumbledore’s Army do next? Plot questions keep the reader’s attention on the book, and hopefully encourages them to turn the page and start the next chapter. Remember the second half of Rule #4:

Never give the reader an excuse to put your book down, because they might not pick it up again, and that would make me sad, :-(.

So here are a few examples of plot questions from my 19th Minecraft-inspired novel, Zombies Attack:

Plot Question 1:

“Soon, enough gold and prisoners will be supplied to Kaza,” the zombie warlord growled. “When enough weapons and armor are given to Tu-Kar’s army, we will turn on Kaza and destroy him. Then, the zombies will take over all of the Far Lands.”

The monster laughed a maniacal laugh as he strode toward the next village and the victims that would soon be his.

I show in the last sentence, and notice I say show and not tell, you never want to tell what a character does, always show it! I show the monster looking forward to going to the next village and taking some prisoners, but I also hint at some tension between the zombie warlord, Tu-Kar and the wither king, Kaza. I will continue, throughout the story, to reinforce this tension. Why do I do this? Why, because of rule #3, of course:

Plot questions allow me to make the reader nervous, because I’m hinting at what will be happening next, but it also gives me a chance to reveal something about the character.

Here’s another:

Plot Question 2: This one is chapter 9 from Bones of Doom

The skeleton army became a white wave of bones and bows as they flowed through the forest at incredible speeds with every last monster thirsting for battle.

I show the skeleton army streaming through the forest, and reveal that all of these monsters are hungry for battle. What will happen next? That’s exactly what I want to reader to think about, and hopefully they’ll go to the next chapter and find out.

Switching PoV: Many times, I’ll use a plot question above, but then, in the next chapter, I’ll switch from the antagonist’s Point of View (PoV) to the protagonist’s PoV. I like to switch back and forth between these PoVs, to force the reader to wait and see what happens. If you find plot question 2, in Bones of Doom, at the end of Chapter 9, then go to the next chapter, you’ll find Chapter 10 focuses on Watcher. So you don’t find out what the skeleton’s do until Chapter 12. Switching from one PoV to another can increase the tension a lot. But I caution you; it’s important for the PoV to be constant through your chapter. Only switch to a new Point of View when you start a new chapter.

Plot Question 3:

Something about Cutter was dangerous, not just to the zombies, but to Watcher and his friends as well. But right now, there was nothing he could do about it except wait. He just hoped when it was time to act, he’d be brave enough . . . and it wouldn’t be too late.

Here, I’m posing the question, is Cutter dangerous to Watcher and his friends? I’m adding tension and making the reader wonder what will happen. And then pose the next plot question; will Watcher be brave enough and will he act in time? Keep increasing the tension!

Plot Question 4:

DNofS 1: More torches burst into life on a second-floor balcony. NPC prisoners stood silent, starring down at the small party, their monstrous guards standing near with weapons drawn. Watcher saw his father and sister in the crowd, their faces covered with tears; they knew what was about to happen, and they were already mourning.

“I think this is . . . the end,” Watcher said, then shook with fear as the zombie warlord focused his hateful stare upon him.

Plot question 4 comes from the all-important Dark Night of the Soul (DNofS). This is approximately the middle of the story. In the Dark Night of the Soul, we want the reader to think the protagonist is going to be defeated and the antagonist will win. Now, the reader knows this isn’t true, because you’re only in the middle of the book, and obviously the story continues, but if the reader is fully engaged and feels like they’re in the story with your hero, then they won’t care; they want to be tricked and surprised.

I think of one of my favorite movies, The Lego Movie. The Dark Night of the Soul occurs when all the heroes are captured and Cloud CuckooLand falls into the ocean. Emmet and his friends go into the ocean in their sub, but it sinks and it seems all is lost. The movie director wants you to think Emmet and his friends are defeated. This represents the highest tension in the movie, and in your book, you want to take advantage of this tension and make it higher by ending the chapter right there, when it looks like the protagonist has been defeated. That’s what I’m showing in plot question #4.

Here’s a few more for you to think about:

Plot Question 5:

“Zombies, destroy those four as an example to the other prisoners.” He glared up at the NPC captives on the second floor balcony. “Let all understand, there is no hope for any of the prisoners. No one will get away, and no one will elude punishment for trying to escape. All villagers are now under the command of Tu-Kar, so that they may serve the great wither king, Kaza.”

He turned back to the five companions.

“Zombies . . . attack!”

Plot Question 6:

Planter moved next to Watcher, Needle in her right hand, the enchanted shield from the watchtower in her left. She looked at him, a fearful expression on her face.

“Don’t worry . . . it’s gonna be all right.” Watcher knew his face betrayed the lie.

One of the spiders scuttled forward and glared at the villagers, then screeched in a high-pitched voice. “Royal Guardssss . . . ATTACK!”

Plot Question 7:

Second DNofS: The left head laughed a harsh, scratching laugh as the right head smiled. The center head nodded, then each skull leaned forward and fired flaming skulls at Planter, the barrage impossible to survive.

Watcher’s heart sank as hopelessness enveloped his soul.

I hope you understand how I’m using this strategy. It’s very effective at keeping the reader engaged in your story, but as with everything; it takes practice. When you read other novels, think about this and you’ll see where the author is utilizing this technique to keep you on the edge of your seat, and make you turn the page.

Keep writing and watch out for creepers.

Mark (Monkeypants_271)