Tension is a critical element in any story. It keeps readers engaged, invested, and on the edge of their seats. But how do you actually create tension in your writing? Here are ten techniques to build it effectively.

1. Kick off the story with a bang

The inciting incident is the event that kicks off the story’s action. It could be a dramatic event, a pivotal decision, or a sudden revelation. Whatever it is, it changes the game and sets new stakes for the characters. By introducing a strong inciting incident, you create tension immediately and set the story in motion.

2. Set a time pressure

The ticking clock is a classic device used in thrillers, but it works in any genre. By compressing the story’s timeline, you create a sense of urgency and pressure that drives the action forward. Ask yourself: what happens if your character doesn’t succeed in time?

3. Tease the reader with withheld information

Sometimes, the best way to create tension is by holding back information. Instead of revealing everything at once, tease the reader with incomplete descriptions and hints. By gradually revealing information, you keep the reader guessing. Done well, your readers will slowly piece together the clues just as your protagonist does — so when the reveal comes, everything falls into place.

4. Create an unexpected plot twist

A plot twist is a sudden and unexpected turn of events that upends the story. When writing a plot twist, make sure it doesn’t come out of nowhere — you’ll want to carefully foreshadow it, otherwise it can feel like lazy writing. That said, the actual reveal should come as a surprise. The twist should challenge the characters and force them to adapt to new circumstances.

Writing Desk tip: Run the AI Editor’s developmental review after you’ve planted a major twist. It will flag whether the foreshadowing reads clearly to a fresh eye, or whether the setup needs strengthening.

5. Add internal and external conflict

Conflict is the driving force of any story. By introducing new problems and obstacles, you create tension and move the story forward. Don’t make things easy for your characters — make them work for their goals. Conflict can take many forms, from internal struggles to external challenges, but it should always increase as the story progresses.

6. Develop your character’s backstory

Developing your character’s backstory can be a rich source of tension. By revealing unseen character traits and secrets, you add depth and complexity to the story. What have they been hiding, and how will it affect those around them?

7. Use cliffhangers

A cliffhanger is a powerful way to keep readers engaged. By posing big questions at the end of a chapter or section, you create a sense of anticipation and excitement. Stop the action midway through a climactic event and leave the reader wondering what happens next. The key is to keep the reader wanting more.

8. Introduce secondary characters with opposing goals

By introducing a character with their own goals and motivations that conflict with your protagonist’s, you set up an inevitable clash — and as you get closer to that clash, tension naturally builds. Done well, it creates dynamic character relationships that will keep your readers invested. Remember that characters don’t have to be likeable to be interesting.

9. Raise the stakes

Your protagonist needs to fail — and they should fail multiple times before succeeding, or face adverse consequences even when they do succeed. You also need to make sure it’s clear what happens if they fail. Will their relationship be over? Will they lose their job? Will someone die?

Hard-won success is always the most interesting.

10. Allow tension to ebb

Pace your story’s suspense by allowing for quiet periods to build character and smaller moments of ease. A constant stream of excitement will only wear out your readers. The contrast is what makes the tense moments land.

Final Words

Tension is essential but it can be hard to do effectively. How do you know if you’ve revealed too much or too little when you know all the details? By using these techniques, you can create a sense of urgency, suspense, and excitement that will keep readers engaged from beginning to end.

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