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Keep Me in Suspense
I love a good chill down the spine. Not over-the-top terrors or the in-your-face frights that movies have pushed in the last couple decades. Theres no subtlety in those scares. It takes real artistry to build suspense.
Recently my boys and I were watching The Birds (my youngest son is nearly 13) and theres one scene in particular that builds delicious tension. A character is sitting on a bench; in the background is a set of monkey bars. As she gazes off-screen, we see birds start to gather. Cut away, come back there are a few more. Cut away again and when the camera returns, the playground is dark with hundreds of ominous crows, only she doesnt yet know it. That is real suspense.
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Children love a good scary story, but not too scary. It can be tricky, I know. Wheres the line? It really depends upon the child. My youngest son thought The Birds was rather silly. His brothers felt the same way a few years ago watching the original Dracula did you know theres an armadillo in his Transylvanian basement? That made it hard to keep a straight face. On the other hand, my kindergarten-age daughter finds Madeleine cartoons almost too tense to bear.
But, factoring in age-appropriateness, a shivery tale can be fun to share as a family. Theres something tremendously comforting to a child to be watching or listening to something suspenseful in the protective presence of mom or dad. Then when the big sigh of relief comes, its so connecting to catch your childs eye and share a mutual grin that says that was fun!
To do that, weve got to know our childrens limits. And be ready to turn off or stop reading something thats creating real anxiety. That means youll have to be experiencing the story with your child. Suspenseful moments in stories, shared together, help to reinforce to children that times of uncertainty in life are momentary. Storms are usually followed by sunshine.
So forget those big, bloody scares. Go for the greater fun of subtle suspense.
Bruce Van Patter
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