These are two popular methods to create tension in the plot and drive it towards the climax. An author is free to use either one or both methods as he wishes, depending on the type of story.

The Ticking Clock

This is a common feature in action-based stories. The technique is used to limit the amount of time that a protagonist has to achieve the story goal. If the protagonist fails to meet this target, there are several consequences set by the writer. Tension in this technique is created by waiting until the last possible moment for the protagonist to achieve the story goal. The following are some classic story ideas that take advantage of the ticking clock technique.

1. A villain has set a time bomb in a populated area and the protagonist has to defuse it before it blows up and causes injuries or death.

2. Robbers take hostages in a banking hall and threaten to kill some people unless the police negotiator gets them a car/plane and safe passage within a certain amount of time.

3. A hero has a few days to reach his/her destination to accomplish a certain task or else he loses everything.

4. An impending natural disaster is about to descend upon a town unless the people are evacuated to a safer area.

5. A fierce enemy is approaching and the good guys have to get some backup in time for them to fight off the enemy.

According to the Dramatica story theory, using a ticking clock is a great way to keep a story under control. For instance, setting a 24-hour ticking clock gives characters a definite period to accomplish certain objectives. Of course the author can postpone the inevitable using flashbacks and backstories but eventually the clock is going to run out.

A sense of urgency is created by a ticking clock and this increases anxiety in the reader. A ticking clock can be introduced when the story is beginning and then the author can insert forewarnings at several points to give readers an idea of the remaining time. Tension can also be increased by escalating a protagonist’s problems as the clock runs out.

Option exhaustion

Some stories revolve around making the right choices rather than doing things within a certain time frame. For example, in a story about a homicide investigation, the detective will attempt to know who the guilty person is rather than expediting his investigation to get just anyone to prosecute with circumstantial evidence.

Stories that deal with option exhaustion give the protagonist several choices. One of these choices is the right one. To make the story tenser, an author can add consequences to some of the options so that the person who has to make them thinks carefully before pursuing any option. The protagonist should not be given too many options. An author should create many options and evaluate their pros and cons. He can then decide which options to provide the protagonist to make the story as interesting as possible.