Impending Doom

I stayed up until midnight, feverishly flying through the few remaining chapters of The Hunger Games. I kept glancing at the clock as the minutes ticked swiftly by, along with each page. I had to get up for church in the morning. Early. I tried to put the book down numerous times. But, every time, another exciting scene propelled me forward. All the way to the end.

Needless to say, I was tired the next morning.

Suspense, ladies and gentlemen. My book severely lacks suspense. There is no time limit. No sense of impending doom. No dangerous foes to run from. No wicked enemies to face (until the very end). Elle wanders, blissfully unaware of any danger, through the story, with the mentality, "What a fun little adventure we're on!"

I'll admit, it's not quite that bad. But it feels this way. Where is the drama? Where is the action? Where is the suspense? Where is the heart-stopping twist that forces nail-biting readers onward, despite the quickly aging day? What does Elle have to gain if she succeeds? What does she have to lose if she fails?


Novel Update: Once again, it's time to brainstorm. 10 chapters completed (fourth draft) and 45 days until......query letter time.