The Power of Questions: How to Keep Readers Turning Pages

Part of the series Writing a Book from Start to Finish

By J.E. Nickerson | Wise Thinkers Help Desk

Stories thrive on curiosity. As writers, we often focus on plot or action, but the true engine of a compelling narrative is questions—the mysteries, dilemmas, and uncertainties that compel readers to keep turning pages. In this article, we explore how to design story questions, build stakes, and use chapter breaks and cliffhangers effectively, with examples from some unforgettable films.

⸻

Why Questions Matter

Every story has a central question. It’s the hook that defines the character and drives the plot. In Jason Bourne, for example, the central question is simple yet powerful: Who am I? Bourne’s amnesia forces him to make every decision through this lens, and each revelation about his past raises new questions, keeping audiences engaged.

But a single big question isn’t enough. Smaller, immediate questions are what sustain tension across chapters: Who can Bourne trust in a diner? Is that stranger observing him? Will his next move reveal him to his enemies?

⸻

Designing Story Questions Readers Must Know

A well-crafted story question is one that readers must have answered. In Before and After, a teenage son is accused of a serious crime. The central question—Did he commit the crime, or is he innocent?—defines the narrative. Along the way, we are compelled by smaller questions: Why is he acting secretively? What are the parents hiding? Can the police investigation be trusted? Each unanswered question builds suspense and investment in the outcome.

Building Stakes Around Unanswered Mysteries

Questions become powerful when stakes are attached. In The Siege, New York City is threatened by a series of terrorist attacks. FBI agents must uncover the perpetrators while navigating political pressure, military involvement, and moral dilemmas. Each unanswered question—Who is behind this bombing? How extensive is the conspiracy? Can the agents stop further attacks?—creates tension because the answers have real consequences for the characters’ lives and the city itself.

Using Questions to Drive Scenes

Unanswered questions don’t only appear in plot points—they define the action in each scene. In a Jason Bourne diner scene, Bourne sits across from a woman, scanning the room for exits and observing every patron. He silently asks: Is she waiting for someone? Is she part of the network hunting me? Could she help or betray me? Every glance and hesitation carries suspense. The audience experiences Bourne’s uncertainty, making even a simple scene feel intense.

Emotional Questions Define Characters

Questions aren’t just intellectual—they are emotional. In The Wrong Man, Manny Balestrero is wrongly accused of robbery. His central question—Will I ever prove my innocence?—drives his actions, but layered emotional questions deepen the story: Can I trust my family? Will the legal system fail me? How do I maintain hope in a situation I didn’t cause? Emotional stakes make readers care about the answers, giving narrative tension a human heartbeat.

Using Chapter Breaks and Cliffhangers

Chapter breaks and cliffhangers are practical ways to leverage questions. Ending a chapter with a new mystery or a subtle unresolved tension keeps readers turning pages. The right question at the right moment—What will the character do next? Who is watching from the shadows?—creates anticipation without needing constant action or dramatic explosions.

Exercises for Writers

1. Identify the Central Question: Write the one question that drives your protagonist’s choices.

2. Brainstorm Smaller Questions: List five smaller questions that appear early in the story and make the reader curious.

3. Raise the Stakes: For each smaller question, explain the consequences if it goes unanswered.

4. Cliffhanger Practice: Rewrite a chapter ending to leave one or more questions unresolved.

5. Observational Scene: Write a scene where your character notices details in a public place that raise questions about the people around them, just like Jason Bourne in the diner.

6. Emotional Stakes: Identify your character’s emotional questions (fear, hope, loyalty) and show how they affect decisions.

Conclusion

Questions are the lifeblood of a story. From Bourne’s diner to the family crisis in Before and After, the terrorist threat in The Siege, or the wrongful accusation in The Wrong Man, unanswered questions keep audiences invested, guide character decisions, and drive narrative tension.

As a writer, crafting questions—both big and small—is as important as plotting the events themselves. Each unanswered question is a promise to your reader: Keep going, and you will discover the answer. Master the power of questions, and you’ll master the art of keeping readers glued to every page.

Knowing your character’s motives for their actions raises the emotional stakes and helps you to know how to deepen your mysteries. Learn how to manage competing motives among likable characters in When Good People Collide: Writing Conflicting Desires Between Likable Characters

Heart of Writing Podcast

🎙️ Want more writing guidance? Listen to the trailer for my podcast Heart of Writing where I expand on these ideas.

📚 If you’re new here, I’m J.E. Nickerson — faith based author and inspirational storyteller. You can check out my books here or follow me on YouTube for more inspiration and encouragement on this writing life.

⸻

🖊 Creating questions that drive your story forward Exercise: The Question Ladder

Objective: Practice stacking questions to build suspense and deepen character stakes.

Instructions:

1. Start with a central question:

Example: Who is following my protagonist?

2. Create a ladder of 3–5 smaller questions that flow from the central question. Each smaller question should arise naturally from the previous one.

Example Ladder:

• Why are they following my protagonist?

• Do they know my protagonist’s secrets?

• Are they alone, or part of a bigger plan?

• What will happen if my protagonist is caught?

3. Optional twist: Add an emotional layer to at least one question.

Example: Will my protagonist lose the trust of someone they love if they make the wrong move?

4. Reflection: Write a one-paragraph scene where your character encounters a situation that touches on these questions. Don’t answer them all—let the tension linger.

Tip: Each question should make readers lean forward. Even if you don’t answer them immediately, the audience should care about the answers.