Note: This originally ran during the early days of Kiss & Tell with MK. I was actually in the middle of doing rewrite number 7 million on Emergency Contacts. I’ve come a looooong way since then, as you can see in my writing style. I was about to graduate with my MA, so everything feels very educational (blame it on my TBR list being replaced with textbooks for 2 years).
So much has changed since I wrote this. I graduated (yay). I won a writing award for my unpublished memoir. I got a freaking book deal!
But the lesson in this post is one I still believe wholeheartedly.
If you’re reading it for the first time, I hope you find something that stays with you.
And if you were here the first time around, thank you for sticking with me.
Tension is the heartbeat of a story. It’s what keeps readers turning pages long past bedtime, holding their breath as they wonder what happens next. Whether it’s a slow-burning rivalry, a life-or-death situation, or an emotional standoff between characters, tension is what makes a story unforgettable.
But how do you create tension that grips your readers and won’t let go? It’s not just about action-packed moments. It’s about crafting uncertainty, raising stakes, and making your characters (and readers) sweat.
Delay the Inevitable
The longer you make readers wait for the resolution of a conflict, the more tension you create. Think about a bomb ticking down—the moment before it explodes is often more nerve-wracking than the explosion itself. Give your characters a goal, throw obstacles in their way, and make readers feel the anticipation.
You have to wait for dessert, just like everyone else. Unless you’re a chaos goblin. In that case, let’s be friends.
Give Characters Opposing Goals
Tension thrives when characters want different things but are forced to interact. Maybe two allies are hiding secrets from each other. Maybe a romance is filled with misunderstandings. Maybe a villain and hero both believe they’re doing the right thing. When two forces clash, the result is compelling tension.
Example: Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet in Pride & Prejudice are perfect examples of tension built on miscommunication and pride. The reader knows there’s something between them, but their stubbornness keeps them apart, making every interaction charged.
Use Short, Sharp Sentences in High-Stakes Moments
When you hit a moment of peak tension—an argument, a fight, a big reveal—your sentence structure should reflect that. Short, punchy sentences quicken the pacing, making the reader feel the urgency.
Example: She turned the corner. Stopped. Someone was there. Watching.
Make the Reader Feel Like They Know More Than the Character
Dramatic irony creates some of the best tension in storytelling. If readers know something the character doesn’t—like a betrayal coming or a secret about to be revealed—it creates that delicious edge-of-your-seat feeling.
Example: In Romeo & Juliet, the audience knows Juliet isn’t really dead, but Romeo doesn’t. That knowledge makes his actions excruciating to watch.
End Chapters on Cliffhangers
One of the easiest ways to keep a reader hooked? Don’t give them closure at the end of a chapter. Instead of wrapping things up neatly, leave a question unanswered, a moment unresolved, or a piece of information hanging. Make them need to keep reading.
Example: The Hunger Games trilogy is brilliant at this. Suzanne Collins knows exactly where to cut a chapter so that you have to turn the page.
Final Thoughts
Tension is what makes stories compelling. Whether it’s an unanswered question, a slow-burn romance, or an impending disaster, the key is making your readers need to know what happens next.
What books have kept you on edge? Drop your favorite tension-filled reads in the comments—I’d love to hear them!