I love Writer’s Digest. If you’re seriously pursuing a writing career,  you should consider subscribing to the magazine. They have great articles from published authors that cover a multitude of subjects – related to writing of course 🙂

I recently picked up a copy of one of my older publications and reread an article by Jordan Rosenfield on building tension, or I guess I should say, quick tips for infusing scenes with tension.

Dramatic tension relies on the reader’s knowledge that something is about to go down – but the details for how or when have yet to be revealed. To create it, you must:

• Thwart your protagonist’s goals and delay satisfaction.
• Include unexpected changes without immediate explanation.
• Shift power back and forth.
• Throw in a piece of plot information that changes or alters your protagonist.
• Create a tense atmosphere through setting and senses.

Tension keeps the reader waiting with baited breath, wondering if the protagonist is going to survive, find love, or achieve his/her goal.

Remember tension keeps your reader turning the page.

Something to think about.

– Jan R