Tech Fund Exclusive: Creating a Suspenseful Mystery – A Behind-the-Scenes Look at My Writing Process

Growing up, I was no stranger to fear. Every Saturday night, I’d stay up late to watch Chiller Theater with the legendary host, Chilly Billy. Each week was a new adventure into the dark—sometimes it was a classic horror film, other times a cheesy B-movie. It didn’t matter. I was hooked. I came to appreciate that creeping sense of unease, the thrill of not knowing what was lurking in the shadows. That early exposure to fear—real, raw, and sometimes ridiculous—set the foundation for my love of all things spooky.

It’s no surprise, then, that when my mother introduced me to Stephen King at an early age, I fell headfirst into the world of horror novels. King’s ability to pull you into a character’s mind and make you feel their fear was nothing short of magic. And I think that’s where my writing style truly took root.

I can’t really say I have a structured approach to writing suspense and mystery—it’s more instinct than method. But if I had to break it down, it starts with character. Like most authors, I work hard to create believable, three-dimensional characters. Characters that have flaws, motivations, and hidden scars. The kind of people you feel like you might know in real life. Then I throw them into the fire.

For me, psychological horror is where the real tension lies. It’s not just about the monster under the bed—it’s about the dread of lifting the covers and finding out what’s underneath. I want my readers to feel that same pounding in their chest that my characters feel. The uncertainty, the slow unraveling of reality, the dawning realization that things are far worse than they first appeared. If you can place the reader that deep inside a character’s mind, their fear becomes the reader’s fear. And that’s where the magic happens.

Of course, I love a good monster story too—there’s something primal about facing down a creature from the dark. But even monsters are more frightening when you care about the person running from them. That’s why character is always my starting point.

So, when I sit down to write a suspenseful mystery, it’s less about following a formula and more about asking myself: What would this character do if faced with their worst fear? And then… I make them face it.

Thanks for supporting my work—there’s plenty more darkness to come. 😈

👉Let me know in the comments what your favorite horror memory is—whether it’s a book, a movie, or that time you swore you heard something in the middle of the night.

Dreadfully yours,

Jen Sequel