Begin by writing an
incomplete description
—just enough to tease the reader’s interest. Create an obstacle for your characters, something that distracts them. Then give another hint at what they think they see—but again, don’t explain it entirely. Find ways to drag out the description until your readers finally see it.
How do you include tension in a story?
- Create a conflict crucial to your characters. …
- Create engaging characters with opposing goals. …
- Keep raising the stakes. …
- Allow tension to ebb and flow. …
- Keep making the reader ask questions. …
- Create internal and external conflict. …
- Create secondary sources of tension. …
- Make the story unfold in a shorter space of time.
What is an example of tension in a story?
One popular theory is that tension is created by dread of an event. For example a
scene in which a detective sneaks around a house is tense
because the reader is constantly aware that he may be caught. This seems like a reasonable theory until you look at it a bit closer.
How do you create tension in writing examples?
Begin by writing an incomplete description—just enough to tease the reader’s interest.
Create an obstacle for your characters
, something that distracts them. Then give another hint at what they think they see—but again, don’t explain it entirely. Find ways to drag out the description until your readers finally see it.
How do you write tension in a scene?
- Write in tight sentences or phrases. Sometimes using a single word is all you need. …
- Use hard, action verbs. …
- Imagine the character’s feelings. …
- Mix short and long sentences. …
- Use dialogue but quick short sentences. …
- Show don’t Tell. …
- Toss out your flowery language.
How do you describe tension?
1 : the
act of straining or stretching
: the condition of being strained or stretched I adjusted the strap’s tension. 3 : a state of unfriendliness There was tension between the two groups.
Do short sentences create tension?
It can be very short in length but doesn’t have to be. There are several reasons for using simple sentences. For example, a series of short simple sentences
used together may
be used to create tension, as in this extract: … Short, simple sentences can make their meaning clear, easily.
What is tension in writing?
What Is Tension in Writing? Tension in a literary context is
the sense that something ominous is right around the corner
. Building a large amount of tension as a writer keeps your readers engaged up until the end of the story. … Good use of tension makes a story worth reading and keeps readers guessing.
How do you teach tension to write?
- Use short words, for example, ‘at once’, rather than, ‘immediately’.
- Place several short sentences consecutively. …
- Include one or two-word sentences. …
- When the action is fast, use partial sentences: He had to get to the others.
What is tension in a scene?
Tension is
caused when something is stretched tight, when there are opposing forces pulling in opposite directions
. To create tension in our scenes, we can use three elements found in any store return: opposing goals, stakes, and time.
How do you create suspense and tension in writing?
- Create a promise in every chapter. …
- Create a hidden identity. …
- Create a puzzle. …
- Open a chapter or section with a question. …
- Use flashbacks to open new sources of suspense.
- Finish a chapter with a cliffhanger ending.
- Give characters complicated histories. …
- Use internal monologue to heighten tension.
How do you build horror tension?
- Terribly Good Tips For Writing Suspense And Creating Fear In Fiction.
- Write Great Protagonists. …
- Write Great Antagonists. …
- Go Dark. …
- Isolate Your Characters. …
- Focus On The Breath. …
- Call An Expert. …
- Chase Questions.
How do you express tension in words?
- Create a conflict crucial to your characters. …
- Create engaging characters with opposing goals. …
- Keep raising the stakes. …
- Allow tension to ebb and flow. …
- Keep making the reader ask questions. …
- Create internal and external conflict. …
- Create secondary sources of tension. …
- Make the story unfold in a shorter space of time.
How do you describe body tension?
Muscle tension refers to
the condition in which muscles of the body remain semi-contracted for an extended period
. Muscle tension is typically caused by the physiological effects of stress and can lead to episodes of back pain.
How do you describe tension force?
Tension force is
the force generated when a load is applied at one or more ends of a material in a directional away, normally to the cross-section of the material
. A tension force is often given as a “pulling” force. The load being placed upon the material must be applied axially to be a tension force.
