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C. Lee McKenzie

Young Adult and Middle Grade Author

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How to Ratchet Up Tension In Your Novel

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What is tension? 

I love this definition: “Delicious moments of anxious uncertainty.” Doesn’t that grab you and make you want to create those kinds of moments in your stories? So how do you do that? 

  • You make your characters want something.
  • You create obstacles for them.
  • You don’t let them have what they want.
  • You keep them trying to get it. . .for a while.

To enhance this tension of WANTING BUT NOT GETTING, Carol Kilgore has added the TICKING CLOCK. A perfect tension heightener. With character trying to overcome obstacles against the clock, readers have to turn the pages, and that’s exactly what writers want.

By the end of a long evening working as a special set of eyes for the presidential security detail, all Kat Marengo wants is to kick off her shoes and stash two not-really-stolen rings in a secure spot. Plus, maybe sleep with Dave Krizak. No, make that definitely sleep with Dave Krizak. The next morning, she wishes her new top priorities were so simple.
As an operative for a covert agency buried in the depths of the Department of Homeland Security, Kat is asked to participate in a matter of life or death—locate a kidnapped girl believed to be held in Corpus Christi, Texas. Since the person doing the asking is the wife of the president and the girl is the daughter of the first lady’s dearest friend, it’s hard to say no.
Kat and Dave quickly learn the real stakes are higher than they or the first lady believed and will require more than any of them bargained for.
The kicker? They have twenty-four hours to find the girl—or the matter of life or death will become more than a possibility.

CAROL KILGORE
Crime Fiction with a Kiss
Carol writes grocery lists, texts to her family, new lyrics to old songs for her dogs, love notes to her husband, and novels for herself. And for you. In between, she blogs weekly at Under the Tiki Hut and is active on Facebook and Twitter.

She sees mystery and subterfuge everywhere. And she’s a sucker for a good love story—especially ones with humor and mystery. Crime Fiction with a Kiss gives her the latitude to mix and match throughout the broad mystery and romance genres. Having flexibility makes her heart happy.
You can connect with Carol and her books here:
*****
WRITE CLUB STARTS TODAY
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“Do what you have to do resolutely, with all your heart. The traveler who hesitates only raises dust on the road.”
I’m guilty of hesitating and raising dust, but I’m working on being resolute.  How about you? And will you visit The Write Club today and cast a vote? I’m off to do that. Also don’t forget Secrets of Honor is waiting for you. 

Comments

  4. Point #3 – Do not give them what they want!
    Mmm, maybe I can use that to get some ideas, so I can complete the outline that I'm stuck with…
    I love the "ticking clock" concept and the sound of Carol's book!

  5. A ticking clock definitely adds tension to a story! A race against time always has me on the edge of my seat. 🙂 Thanks for sharing and wishing Carol the best of luck.
    ~Jess

  6. Thanks for sharing. Love that definition for tension. It really is an important aspect of any book. You want your readers flipping the pages like crazy!

    -Lauren

  11. Hey, I was just at Write Club. 🙂

    Do NOT give them what they want! What a great way to put it. And yes, Carol's ticking clock sure does raise the tension.

  14. I need to get Carol's new book blurb up on my site. I meant to before now but things happened.

    As a writer we need to keep the reader off balance (is that too harsh?) as well as entertained. 🙂

  15. Thanks so much for stopping by my post the other day and for following, I appreciate it 🙂

    Tension is an absolute must in stories. If there's nothing going on, there's no reason for us to care about the characters. I do enjoy creating tension in my stories. Sometimes I feel I create too much but it is fun to torture them…sometimes…

    Cheers!
    Jen

  16. Hi Lee and Carol,

    How delightful to note that the lovely Carol is being featured on this delightful of delightfully delightful blogs.

    The Secrets of Honour, oops, must type in American, Gary, The Secrets of Honor is a must. This means it's also time to share this post. Yep even of Farcebook!

    Ticking clock. Race against time? Or is that aliens who hate clocks?

    The Write Club, sorry, I will give that a miss.

    The starstuckest fan who is running way behind shall now backtrack to your other post and then lie down in a darkened room.

    Gary

  18. Tension is a very difficult feeling to capture. I like it when it is done right though. I can almost feel like I am part of the party.

  20. Anything described as a "delicious moment" always makes me want to experience it. There's something about that word, "delicious," that gives me a shiver. The book sounds great!

  23. My dad always said, "He who hesitates waits." Your quote made me think of that.

    Carol's book cover is pretty. I'm going to have to add it to my TBR list.

  24. Very good way to put it.

    I've recently had to put tension and how to create it into words as well. Was actually a very good exercise for me.

  31. I've always found the ticking clock to be a major tension heightener. That really makes you want to see what happens and if the characters beat the countdown.

    For an MG story, I have someone fall ill causing a ticking clock of sorts forcing the chacracters to find help or a cure before ill turns ill-fatal.