Writing Excuses

19.37: A Close Reading on Tension: Movement and Resolution

Sep 15, 2024

In this discussion, Howard Tayler, a music expert, and DongWon Song, an electronic dance music aficionado, delve into the art of tension in storytelling. Howard reveals the power of the musical half-step as a metaphor for building suspense. DongWon updates this with EDM references, linking tension to the exhilarating beat drops in dance music. They explore key questions writers should ask to deepen character motivation. Listeners can expect valuable insights on weaving emotional depth and resolution into their narratives.

21:27

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Episode guests

DongWon

Howard

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

The podcast discusses how musical techniques, like half-step movements, can effectively enhance narrative tension in storytelling.

The hosts suggest examining character motivations, such as secrets withheld, to deepen the emotional stakes and resolution in a story.

Deep dives

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Intro

3min

Exploring Tension, Movement, and Resolution in Storytelling

2min

The Art of Tension in Music and Storytelling

8min

Crafting Tension and Resolution in Storytelling

6min

Tension and Resolution in Storytelling

8min

Evolving Emotional Goals in Writing

4min

Today, we’re using music as an entry-point for tension. Howard introduces us to the power of the half-step, and other musical metaphors that can help you to incorporate tension in a new way to your writing. And then DongWon updates the metaphor with an electronic dance music analogy.

We also dive into questions you can ask as you weave tension into your work in progress, such as, “what does your character have to gain by withholding their secret?”

Thing of the Week: Clueless (the movie!)

Homework: Write a scene three times. Same scene, and make sure to write it from scratch three times. But listen to different music each time.

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Credits: Your hosts for this episode were Mary Robinette Kowal, DongWon Song, Erin Roberts, and Howard Tayler. It was produced by Emma Reynolds, recorded by Marshall Carr, Jr., and mastered by Alex Jackson.

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