How to create tension in writing

Learning how to create tension in writing is important whatever your genre. Read more on writing a page-turning novel.

Romance how to write 2 tension emotions

I recently came across this insightful analysis of suspense in the opening of the film Inglorious Basterds. In it, there's a mention of an article from the Psychology journal, Frontiers in Psychology about Tension and Suspense. The authors, Moritz Lehne and Stefan Koelsch, posit six components underlying suspense and tension, which I find useful in thinking about crafting scenes to engage your readers and get your characters into trouble.

"Don't & Do" when it comes to increasing your story's tension.

Give those dialogue heavy scenes more tension by adding in an outcome the characters need to avoid. Plus a list of different avoidance prompts.

Here are 5 ways to increase tension in your story.

Our checklists and tip sheets can help broaden your understanding of how to create tension and conflict, deepen characterization, master the pace, and plot compelling novels.

Is your story dragging? Breathe life back into it with these 5 ways to increase your story's tension!

Stakes keep readers engaged, create tension and intrigue, and give a story legs to stand on. Learn how to write gripping story stakes.

Our checklists and tip sheets can help broaden your understanding of how to create tension and conflict, deepen characterization, master the pace, and plot compelling novels.

Training turned tension starters | tumblr | writing prompts

Last night was a crap-television night. We haven't signed up to Netflix or Lightbox, so rely on whatever offerings the free-to-air channels serve. Yesterday's menu looked more like leftover crusts of sandwiches from lunch than carefully prepared cuisine. Often I'd just tuck right in to a book instead but last night we treated ourself to…

Writing Tips: Readers love conflict. It’s the engine of compelling fiction. Conflict creates tension, and tension keeps readers turning the pages.

Our checklists and tip sheets can help broaden your understanding of how to create tension and conflict, deepen characterization, master the pace, and plot compelling novels.

Here are Bright Light Education's top tips for captivating creative writing. These skills will be useful for writing exams or simply writing for fun!

Romance novels rake in well over a billion dollars every year. Probably more so than in any other genre, readers are looking for stories in which a character’s emotions are explored. We want to be voyeurs in a relationship we can invest in and root for. In a romance, sexual tension is the lifeblood of […]

As a reader, I love to be tortured. I love the suspense, the waiting, the anticipation as a novel unfolds. It’s my favorite part of reading a story. Sure I love it when the love interests finally get together or the murderer is finally revealed, but the really fun part is the tension: The anticipation […]

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