How do you create page-turning tension that makes it impossible for the reader to put your story down?
You put your characters in some kind of danger, even if it’s subtle.
In this episode, we’ll explore 2 kinds of danger: physical and emotional.
You’ll learn how to raise your story’s tension, and make your story unputdownable.
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Episode at a glance:
[04:42] Physical Danger
Physical danger comes in many varieties but the most compelling is at the hands of the antagonist. With this kind of danger, the reader should worry for your character and won’t put the book down until the danger’s been resolved.
[08:45] Sensory Impressions
The quickest way to deflate tension in your scenes is to tell us your character’s terrified. Instead, think if the emotions your character is feeling while they’re in the throes of danger, and focus on sensations in their body.
[10:03] Acts of Nature
Natural danger could be as devastating as a tsunami, or as simple as a hiker losing one of his shoes on a rugged hiking trail at night.
[11:39] Accidents
Car accidents, plane crashes, fires, etc.build dramatic tension as your character makes sense of the imminent danger and strives to survive.
The key to writing these scenes is to slow down. When faced with an accidental catastrophe, we become hyper vigilant. Everything is hyper-real.
[14:05] Emotional Danger
This is more subtle than physical danger, and often harder to convey.
Emotional danger is when present and future relationships are threatened. It relies on character dynamics. What your character has to lose is another character’s respect, affection, or love. One character wants something that the other character isn’t willing, able, or ready to give.
[26:47] 5 Things to keep in mind when putting your characters in danger:
1.Slow Down
Even if the danger happens quickly, your character will notice every detail. Probe the moment.
2.Sensory Images
Don’t use emotional shortcuts like “He was terrified. Instead, focus on the character’s physical sensations,and make the scene more tactile.
3.Conflict
Emotional danger derives from the dynamics between characters who want different things. .
4. Give Your Character Agency
Even though your character is not in control of the circumstances, that doesn’t mean he or she is passive.
5. Consequences
Don’t just include danger for the sake of danger. It must lead to plot consequences.
Links mentioned in this episode:
My Absolute Darling by Gabriel Tallent
Between A Rock And A Hard Place by Aron Ralston
The World According to Garp by John Irving
One Day by David Nicholls
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