The Magic of Three

This technique involves the convention in which a series of three sensory hits (involving any of the three senses) are provided in a way that builds tension-the third hint leading directly to a revelation.

1. You heard a sound. You look nothing. You dismiss it.
2. You see a fleeting shadow. Again you try to figure out what it was, but you don’t notice anything unusual. Still you start to worry.
3. You feel something brush past you. You turn. There it is! (revelation)

When using the magic of three, authors use red flag words or phrases to grab the reader’s attention, to build suspense and to let the reader know that something important will happen. For example - All of a sudden…

Here is my example…

All of a sudden, I heard rustling coming from outside. I listened some more but didn't hear the noise again. I was tired so I thought I must have been imagining things so I dismissed it and went straight back to sleep. Once again I heard a sort of snuffling sound. I sat up and pulled my curtain back to look outside.

In the blink of an eye, I saw a huge shadow run straight past the window. Woah! I jumped back from the window. What the heck was that? I thought to myself. I quickly zoomed out of my room and rushed into my parents bedroom.

Then without warning, the creature came crashing through the bedroom window and we found ourselves face to face with bigfoot himself.