What would be the ideal way to write and set up a surprise so to speak in a book for example an explosion or a gunshot that kills someone suddenly. How can you write it in a manner that makes it seem sudden? Because so far I've just been saying for example 'and there was peace in the stre- BOOM! Chaos' along those lines. Will that suffice or is there a more smooth/clean way to go about this? I hope this makes sense
My approach to the problem was to shift the focus not on the surprise, but on the suspense of when it was going to happen. In the movies, they interupt the characters dialogue with a shot of a car. Then its back to the characters. Cut back to the car, only this time we see a box underneath with a flashing light. They cut back and forth until the digital counter hits zero.
You can do pretty much the same sort of thing with writing.
I agree with Victoria, if you stop in the middle of a sentence it might not have the intended impact. Use shorter sentences but start a new paragraph after showing the peacefullness, this will help create suspense :)
Personally I would never break a sentence like that. If there is peace in the street, complete it. End the paragraph with perhaps the bustling streets calming after a busy day, market stall holders closing up, a cat dosing in the last of the sun. Ensure your reader fully understands the atmosphere of the area.
Boom! Start a new paragraph with the hostilities. It will feel all the more sudden for the completed peace you have previously created.