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!
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Use Varied Tension Techniques
- Use a variety of tension techniques like subversion and pattern completion to keep your story unpredictable.
- Mix small bits of different tension methods to maintain reader interest and momentum throughout your story.
Leverage Try-Fail Cycles
- After each try-fail cycle, ask what the characters anticipate and what tension moves the story forward.
- Use this reflection to add or enhance tension where the story feels less engaging.
Inverted Pyramid Story Structure
- Build your story structure like an inverted pyramid: start with big foundational elements like worldbuilding.
- Finish with small details to minimize rewriting and keep your narrative stable.