Why Is Tension Important in a Story?

Tension is what keeps your audience invested from one page to the next. Without any tension, there isn’t any reason to continue on reading – events might happen, but they won’t feel urgent or compelling.

The importance of tension also stems from pacing. Tension is a great vehicle for controlling the rhythm of a story. It speeds things along during the high-octane bursts and slows them down to allow anticipation to build. It creates a delicious push-and-pull effect that allows a story to feel dynamic rather than flat.

Perhaps most importantly, tension creates emotional stakes. When your readers feel like something meaningful could be lost – or gained – they become more connected to the characters and their journey.

Below are 8 ways to create tension in your stories.

lmnelsonscorner

Related:  5 Tips to Get More Creative Writing Fiction – TUTORING YOU

Author: Dennis Hickey

I love to learn and I enjoy sharing what I’ve learned. I hope you do too because learning will nourish your personal growth. I hope you enjoy this website and visit often so you too keep learning too. View all posts by Dennis Hickey