How To Create Tension When Writing Your Story
Tension is a critical element in any story. It keeps readers engaged, invested, and on the edge of their seats. But how do you create tension in your writing? In this article, we'll explore ten ways to build tension in your story.
Tips for Creating Tension in Your Writing
1. Kick Off the Story With a Bang
The inciting incident is the event that kicks off the story's action. It could be a dramatic event, a pivotal decision, or a sudden revelation. Whatever it is, it changes the game and sets new stakes for the characters. For example, in a murder mystery, you generally start off with a murder. By introducing an inciting incident, you create tension and set the story in motion.
2. Set a Time Pressure
The ticking clock is a classic device used in thrillers, but it can work in any genre. By compressing the story's timeline, you create a sense of urgency and pressure that drives the action forward. A race against the clock creates natural tension and propels the characters into new situations. Ask yourself, what happens if your character doesn’t succeed in time?
3. Tease The Reader with Withheld Information
Sometimes, the best way to create tension is by holding back information. Instead of revealing everything at once, tease the reader with incomplete descriptions and hints. Create obstacles that distract the characters and draw out the suspense. By gradually revealing the information, you can keep the reader guessing. Additionally, if done well, your readers will slowly be able to put together the clues just as your protagonist does so when you get to the reveal at the end everything just falls into place.
4. Create an Unexpected Plot Twist
A plot twist is a sudden and unexpected turn of events that upends the story. When doing a plot twist make sure it doesn’t come out of nowhere. You’ll want to carefully foreshadow the twist otherwise it can very easily feel like lazy writing or ‘deus ex machina’. That being said, the actual reveal should come as a surprise. The twist should challenge the characters and force them to adapt to new circumstances.
5. Add Internal and External Conflict
Conflict is the driving force of any story. By introducing new problems and obstacles, you create tension and move the story forward. Don't make things easy for your characters – make them work for their goals. Conflict can take many forms, from internal struggles to external challenges, but it should always increase as the story progresses.
6. Develop Your Character’s Backstory
Developing your character's backstory can be a rich source of tension. By revealing their unseen character traits and secrets, you add depth and complexity to the story. What have they been hiding, and how will it affect those around them? By exploring your characters' true selves, you can create tension and drive the story forward.
7. Use Cliffhangers
A cliffhanger is a powerful way to keep readers engaged. By posing big questions at the end of a chapter or section, you create a sense of anticipation and excitement. Stop the action midway through a climactic event, and leave the reader wondering what happens next. You can also provide a surprise at the end of a chapter, like a new piece of information or a plot twist. The key is to keep the reader wanting more.
8. Introduce Secondary Characters with Opposing Goals
This is one way of introducing new conflict. By introducing a second character with their own goals and motivations you set up an inevitable clash, which, as you get closer and closer will create more and more tension. Done well it’s an opportunity for dynamic character relationships that will keep your readers invested in the story. Remember that characters don’t have to be likeable to be interesting.
9. Raise The Stakes
In order to build suspense and tension, your protagonist needs to fail, and they should fail multiple times before succeeding, or face adverse consequences even when they do succeed. You also need to make sure it’s clear what happens if they fail. Will their relationship be over? Will they lose their job? Will someone die?
You can also use the "rule of three" to structure your novel and create rising conflict. Just, remember that hard-won success is always the most interesting.
10. Allow Tension to Ebb
Pace your story's suspense by allowing for quiet periods to build character and smaller moments of tension and ease. A constant stream of excitement will only wear out your readers.
Final Words: Creating Tension In Your Writing
Tension is an essential element but it can be hard to do effectively. How do you know if you’ve revealed too much or too little of your story when you know all the details and then some? By using these techniques, you can create a sense of urgency, suspense, and excitement that will keep readers engaged from beginning to end. So go ahead and give these a try and add some tension to your writing today – your readers will thank you for it.