Build tension as the story moves along

Tension is reserved for your reader. It’s an element of entertainment that keeps them glued to their seats and wanting more. To build tension, consider these approaches:

a) Give your characters flaws to make readers feel invested.

b) Heighten the risks for every step your hero makes.

c) Your protagonist should operate under time constraints.

d) Your villain must outsmart your hero along the way.

e) Make your protagonist doubt his abilities.

Make surprising twists and revelations

I’ve been writing book reviews for almost two years, and the most delightful books for me are those with surprising or unexpected plot twists. A plot twist is what makes a reader say, “Wow, I didn’t see that coming!” It’s a welcome turn of event that sustains reader involvement. A plot twist can be something like Darth Vader revealing that he is the father of Luke Skywalker, or that the corrupted Saruman has been desiring Sauron’s power.

Revelation, on the other hand, can come slowly and builds a dramatic effect. Revelation involves the reader by making them guess what will happen next. It’s one of those “a-ha” moments in your reading. It can be suspenseful, dramatic, or romantic. Who would have known that Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley would end up as a couple? Did you see that coming at the beginning of the series?

Ask yourself these questions:

a) Is my structure solidly placed so that I can build everything else on top of it?

b) Do my characters have a life-changing event that forces them to make a difficult moral choice?

c) Does my story present a thematic truth that my characters face that leads to the building of conflict?

d) Do my characters get defeated and experience despair that makes them re-evaluate their goals?

e) Does my character have a back story or a painful past that continues to haunt him and affects the way he deals with the circumstances surrounding him?

f) How does my protagonist gain new insight to defeat a very difficult antagonist?

g) How does my final confrontation decide the success or failure of my opposing characters, and how will it affect them?

h) Does my plot have a balanced introduction of character, setting, and theme pursuant to my objective of hooking my readers?

Make it memorable for your reader

At the end of your story, your reader must emerge enlightened or transformed. You owe it to your reader to make them learn something from the experience of tackling your story. How many times have we heard of stories of people stating that a particular book has become instrumental in changing their lives for the good?

This is what separates a good storyteller from the hack. We all have stories to share, and as a storyteller, make yourself stand out by giving your readers something to share or talk about long after they have finished reading your story. It will pay off as they will look forward to reading your next work.

We don’t know how long we will stay under quarantine, but we can make the most out of it by further honing our craft. You have the luxury of time, so use it. Stay safe, kind, and creative. Good luck.