What is Tension in a Novel? A Masterclass in Keeping Readers Hooked

Ever stayed up whispering “Just one more page” at three a.m.? It has to be at the hands of one intense tension that leaves you grasping for breath. It is literally the lifeblood of the whole narrative. Paint as many vivid characters and as much poetic prose as you want, but if the tension falls flat, your readers would not even blink before putting the book down mid-way. So, you do realize the power it commands. But what really is tension at its core, let’s find out:

Table of Contents

• The Fatal Tightrope: Creating Unease

• A Solemn Promise: Keeping Readers Invested

• A Non-Exclusive Elixir

• The Life of the Tale: What Keeps Pages Turning

• Important Points

• What to Learn From Editors/Coaches That Helps Authors

• Frequently Asked Questions

The Fatal Tightrope

Remember how walking on a tightrope feels like a death-defying scare in itself? All it takes is one gush of wind, one wrong step, and your carefully crafted tale could end up in ruins. That is exactly what tension does to your narrative. It is not an invisible string tying the whole narrative, but that inexplicable feeling that something is off, something is not adding up, something is waiting for you. Mind you, it does not have to be some grave tragedy knocking at your protagonist’s door. Literally any emotional, moral, or psychological turmoil would serve the purpose just as well. The idea is simple — the readers should feel the same uncertain waves as if they are walking on a tightrope. It keeps them hooked not because they want some insufferable disaster, but because they enjoy for the life in them, want to find out.

A Solemn Promise

Tension goes so much further than just being an elemental juncture of your narrative. In fact, it is a pact between you and your readers that something worthwhile is on its way. You are not just adding suspense, but making a solemn promise that the emotional rollercoaster they are on is going to be truly worth it in the end. And this very thing keeps the readers up, turning pages—not because something will happen, but because chances are, something might. But remember, there is one catch. Like any solemn promise, this should be kept as if the life of your narrative depended on it. Because it truly does. So do not just create tension for chaos, but create it with the intent to twist it until it reaches its breaking point and serves an arc rightfully in the end. Because your tension is not just a whisper of your narrative, but a whole echo.

A Non-Exclusive Elixir

Till now, we have certainly established that tension is the core of your narrative. Who does not want a concrete one, right? But before you go all in, know your tension can be external as well as internal—literally whatever fits your story better. Maybe the tension in question is your lead being on a side quest to bring back a cursed object before time runs out and the world turns still, or your protagonist secretly struggling with their inner demons day in and day out. There are no rules here—you are the magician. Add in the best of both worlds if you’d like, because your story deserves it.

The life of the Tale

Imagine your own life with no highs or lows, you go to work, come back, nod along with your family and go to bed. We are sure the very thought of it sounds tedious. Do not just yawn right away. Because this is what your story is without any tension: plain and bland. Every time you hold your breath while reading, or pace around, or your heart skips a beat, that is tension working hard at its job. To say the least, it is an emotional glue that binds your readers to the story. It is the soul of the story, the very thing that makes the readers be like, “I need to get this straight” at three am. Mind you, it does not have to be crackling to create some tension. The more natural the chaos, the more intense aftermath it leaves you with. It does not always have to be seen, but without it, your story fizzles to ashes. It is the ticking clock that your readers can almost hear all along.

When everything is said and done, tension goes far beyond being just an accessory tool—it is the invisible string that binds your whole story together. It is what makes your readers want to dive in headfirst. Whether it simmers just beneath the surface or explodes in a way that leaves casualties far and wide, it is what gives life to your story and keeps it alive from the first word to the very last.

Are you interested in creating suspenseful stories that have people asking for "just one more page"?

If you have difficulty getting readers through chapter 1, we can help! At Rolling Authors, we work with authors to determine areas where tension has fallen off, and then we help create intentional, rhythmic, and emotionally charged tension throughout the rest of the book.

Important Points

• As a writer, you need tension to give your book emotional impact. Without it, even the most beautifully written prose will have no life. You can create tension through emotional, moral, and/or psychological discomfort. This does not necessarily need to come from non-stop fighting or destruction.

• When a reader feels good tension, they will feel that there is a promise of something important coming.

• Tension can come from outside influences as well as from within. The most effective narratives typically include both types of tension as part of one unified story.

• While moments of extreme tension occur as a result of extreme activity, smaller, more subtle forms of tension can exist for a longer period of time.

• Ultimately, the purpose of tension is to fuel your reader's desire to continue to read.

What to Learn From Editors/Coaches That Helps Authors

1. Tension Comes From Expectation, Not Activity

All professional editors agree that tension exists in anticipation of what might happen next, not in what has just taken place. Therefore, the potential for higher tension in very low-key scenes exists compared to battle scenes, for example, if the emotional stakes are sufficiently elevated.

2. Readers Will Experience Tension Before Understanding the Cause

Readers do not always know when they are feeling tension. The process of rapid page-turning, breath holding and repeating a line of text over and over all indicate that there is tension occurring, and yet the reader may not consciously recognise it. Good tension can exist for a reader and remain outside of their conscious thought.

3. Internal Tension Provides Ongoing Depth In Novels

Internal tension can provide ongoing depth throughout an entire novel while external tension tends to provide movement forward through the story. Characters who struggle with their identities, who are dealing with guilt or desire, often hold onto a reader’s attention for a longer period of time than ticking bombs (i.e., bombs set to explode). When tension has been created but is not ultimately resolved in a meaningful manner, a reader will no longer be engaged with your story. Tension always leads to a payoff for the reader in one form or another—emotionally, narratively, or thematically.

FAQ

1. Is tension the same thing as suspense?

 No, suspense is one kind of tension. It is possible for tension to exist without danger or a mystery. It is possible for tension to exist in silence, in relationships, and through emotional uncertainty.

2. Can slow-moving or literary novels have tension? 

Yes, many literary works rely heavily on internal tension, social tension, or psychological tension rather than suspense that is derived from plot.

3. When should you first introduce tension in your novel? 

It is best to create tension as soon as possible. Even if it is a very subtle feeling of uneasiness or an unanswered question, a reader should have a reason to continue reading.

4. Is it possible to over-tension a reader? 

Yes, as long as you create tension within the story itself. Readers like to read about rise and fall in tension: it is important to give your reader at least some breathing room. Excess tension without any release will only tire your reader out.

5. What signs show that your story may lack tension? 

One example would be if your scenes could be switched around and they would still make sense. Another sign would be if the stakes in each scene were not clear to the reader or if they are not motivated to read on.

If you have difficulty getting readers through chapter 1, we can help! At Rolling Authors, we work with authors to determine areas where tension has fallen off, and then we help create intentional, rhythmic, and emotionally charged tension throughout the rest of the book. 

Whether you need to create stronger stakes (external), more internal conflict, or increase your book's narrative pulse, Rolling Authors helps you to increase your chance of converting the ‘just one more page’ promise into an absolute.