Writing Excuses

19.39: A Close Reading on Tension: Tying It All Together

Sep 29, 2024

Delve into the captivating world of story tension and its critical role in engaging readers. Explore the fine line between tension and conflict, and how altering conflict points can shift your narrative's dynamics. Discover techniques to create suspense through both action and inaction, enhancing the reader's emotional investment. The discussion also touches on the importance of pacing and strategic revisions in storytelling. Plus, get inspired by an Icelandic novella that gets a nod for its impactful storytelling!

22:54

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Quick takeaways

Tension is vital in storytelling as it builds emotional connections and stakes, driving the narrative forward for reader engagement.

Writers can enhance tension by strategically using techniques like 'try-fail cycles' and rearranging conflict points to adjust pacing.

Deep dives

The Importance of Tension in Storytelling

Tension is a crucial element in storytelling that keeps readers engaged and eager to turn the pages. It drives the narrative forward by establishing stakes and emotional connections between characters, making their struggles resonate with the audience. Small, personal conflicts often generate more tension than large, explosive set pieces because they allow readers to relate to the characters' experiences. Understanding how to weave tension throughout a story will enhance the overall enjoyment and impact of the work.

Intro

2min

Mastering Tension in Storytelling

2min

Building Tension in Storytelling

8min

Navigating Narrative Challenges

7min

Mastering Tension in Writing

12min

Enhancing Tension and Effective Hiring Strategies

5min

This episode, we’re talking about how important tension is in creating a world where your readers feel fully immersed. We talk about the importance of using tropes and techniques while also using variation in order to make your story less predictable. We dive into the difference between tension and conflict, and talk about how you can use the former to help the ladder. Tension can be found in movement, but also in inaction. We touch on tension's effect on try-fail cycles, inverted pyramids, and worldbuilding.

Thing of the Week: The Night Guest by Hildur Knutsdottir (a novella translated by Mary Robinette Kowal)

Homework: Take a look at your outline and move one of the major conflict points to a different act forward, and then try and move it to a later act. Consider how this changes the pacing and tension.

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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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