Conflict creates suspense…

Mr Warne writes: It’s strange but true that audiences enjoy themselves when they worry. They worry whether the main character will solve his problem or not. This state of worry which holds their attention is called suspense. The sooner you create suspense in a story, the better. Once you create it, hold it and increase it until the story reaches its climax.

He said that you create suspense when the main character meets complications when trying to solve his problem.

Mr Warne describes how Caiaphas, a High Priest of Jerusalem, envied Jesus and feared his popularity and power. He wanted Jesus dead. He bribes Judas to betray Jesus. Then Caiaphas organises an illegal trial by night using false witnesses. The witnesses can’t agree, but Caiaphas presses on. His council declares Jesus guilty of blasphemy. He takes Jesus to the Roman governor of Judea, Pontius Pilate. Any order for execution had to be signed by Pontius Pilate. On the charge sheet they accuse Jesus of treason against Rome. Caiaphas meets his first complication: Pilate decides to examine Jesus himself. He finds Jesus not guilty. Caiaphas says Jesus is causing trouble right throughout Judea, from Galilee to Jerusalem. When Pilate learns that Jesus is from Galilee he says that that’s King Herod’s jurisdiction. So Caiaphas has to take Jesus to Herod.

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