Most Writers Think Suspense Means Action — They’re Dead Wrong.

You don’t need explosions or killers to keep your audience on edge. You need this 4-step suspense technique grounded in neuroscience and used by master storytellers.

My free PDF, The Psychological Presence Worksheet, walks you through a 4-part technique that turns any scene into a pressure cooker.  This PDF will show you how to to --

✅ Bury threats beneath the surface
✅ Give your audience information characters don’t have
✅ Strip away your hero’s power (slowly)
✅ Stretch time until it snaps

If you want to write scenes that make readers forget to breathe… This is how.

I’m James Hurst, a professional screenwriter with over 25 years of experience writing television pilots and episodic scripts for major networks and streamers.

I’ve written nearly 50 produced scripts for award-winning shows like Wynonna Earp, Hardy Boys, Being Erica, Flashpoint, and The Listener. My work has earned multiple nominations and awards, including two Canadian Screenwriting Awards and a Peabody Award.

Over the years, I’ve learned that suspense isn’t about explosions or car chases — it’s about psychology. It’s about what the audience knows, what they fear, and what the characters can’t see coming.

I created The Psychological Presence Worksheet to help screenwriters like you build unbearable tension in any scene — whether it's a high-stakes showdown or a quiet conversation over tea.

If you're looking to hook your readers, elevate your storytelling, and write scenes that grab and hold attention, this free worksheet will show you how.