7 Ways To Build Tension In Your Story

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Table of Contents

• What is tension in a story?
• Why is tension important in a story?
• How to create tension in your story?
• When to build tension in your story?
• Examples of tension in popular stories

What is tension in a story?

Tension is the feeling of uncertainty, fear, or anticipation that keeps the reader engaged and invested in the story. It is the element that makes the reader wonder what will happen next and creates an emotional response to the events in the story.

It is important to note that tension is not the same as conflict. Conflict is the struggle between two or more characters or forces in the story. Tension, on the other hand, is the feeling that the conflict creates in the reader.

Why is tension important in a story?

Tension is important in a story because it keeps the reader engaged and invested in the outcome of the story. It creates a sense of urgency and makes the reader want to keep turning the pages to find out what happens next.

Without tension, the story can feel flat and uninteresting. The reader may lose interest and not finish the story. Tension is what makes the story exciting and memorable.

How to create tension in your story?

There are several ways to create tension in your story:

1. Use foreshadowing: Foreshadowing is the hinting at events that will happen later in the story. It creates anticipation and builds tension as the reader wonders what will happen next.
2. Create conflict: Conflict is the struggle between two or more characters or forces in the story. It creates tension as the reader wonders who will come out on top.
3. Use pacing: Pacing is the speed at which events in the story unfold. By slowing down or speeding up the pace, you can create tension and anticipation.
4. Use cliffhangers: A cliffhanger is when the story ends on a suspenseful note, leaving the reader wondering what will happen next.
5. Create a ticking clock: A ticking clock is a deadline or time limit that creates a sense of urgency and tension in the story.

When to build tension in your story?

Tension should be built throughout the story to keep the reader engaged and invested. However, there are certain key moments when tension should be heightened:

1. The inciting incident: The inciting incident is the event that sets the story in motion. It should create tension and anticipation for what will happen next.
2. The midpoint: The midpoint is the middle of the story where the stakes are raised and the tension should increase.
3. The climax: The climax is the point of highest tension in the story where the conflict is resolved.

Examples of tension in popular stories

Some examples of tension in popular stories include:

• Harry Potter: The series is filled with tension as Harry and his friends try to stop Voldemort and his followers.
• The Hunger Games: The tension in the story comes from the life-or-death situation the characters are in and the struggle to survive.
• The Girl on the Train: The tension in the story comes from the unreliable narrator and the mystery she is trying to solve.

Conclusion

Tension is an important element in storytelling that keeps the reader engaged and invested in the outcome of the story. It can be created through foreshadowing, conflict, pacing, cliffhangers, and a ticking clock. Tension should be built throughout the story, but heightened at key moments such as the inciting incident, the midpoint, and the climax. By using examples from popular stories, we can see how tension can make a story exciting and memorable.