Build and sustain tension in your mystery with micro-tension moments. Instead of one big buildup, keep readers questioning what will happen next right now.
Novel Tension Basics for Mystery Writers
Tension drives your reader to want more. Learn how to build tension scene by scene. Use a tension-building formula to build curiosity and momentum in your mystery novel.
Ratchet Up Tension in Your Mystery
Why Tension? Isn’t A Mystery a Puzzle? A mystery is a story. A good story of any genre needs tension. Tension is what keeps readers reading. Without tension your story can feel episodic with no push for the reader to continue.What is tension in a story? It’s the state of being stretched tight. In a story, tension applies to a character’s mental and emotional state. In order for readers to feel tension, they must care about the character. When a reader empathizes with th […]