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Fiction
Creating Conflict How Tension and Suspense Can Set the Pacing of a Story
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  • Conflict 101: An Overview - article
  • Conflict 101: External Conflict - article
  • Conflict 101: Internal Conflict - article
  • +Conveying the Tension - podcast
  • +Creating Dramatic Tension - article
  • Novel Building Blocks: What is Pacing? - article
  • +The Elements of a Page-Turner - podcast
  • Creating Conflict
  • +Advice for Handling Violence in Religious Fiction - video
  • +Establishing Conflict and Resolution to Hold a Reader's Attention - video
  • How Screenwriters and Novelists Can Create a Captivating Beginning
  • How Subtext Contributes to Creating the Atmosphere of a Story
  • How Tension and Suspense Can Set the Pacing of a Story
  • The Importance of Building Limitations for a Magic System
  • Tips for Successfully Implementing Conflict in a Story
  • Top-Down History vs. Bottom-Up Storytelling in Historical Fiction
  • Understanding the Rules for Magic in Fantasy Novels

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How Tension and Suspense Can Set the Pacing of a Story

 “I believe suspense drives all fiction, not only mystery,” says editor Helga Schier. “Unless we really are interested in what happens next, we won’t turn the pages.” Suspense, she explains, is the reader’s anticipation for what’s going to happen next in a story. There must first be tension in a story for a reader to care enough about what might happen next. To create tension and suspense, it’s important that plot events have consequences. Schier encourages writers to move past the mundane moments quickly to keep the pace interesting to readers. Raising the stakes on the major plot events will also create an emotional investment on the part of the reader. One way to do this is to put a “deadline” on a plot point. A race against time puts more pressure on plot and on characters, creating excitement for the reader. Another way is to create cliffhangers, says Schier. Watch the clip below to learn more about these strategies that will keep your readers turning the pages.
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