As I’ve been reading an ARC of Carrie Ryan’s The Dead-Tossed Waves, sequel to The Forest of Hands and Teeth, it’s been making me think a lot about what Donald Maass stresses in Writing the Breakout Novel: the need to create tension on every page.
In Ryan’s book, we know from the very first page that this futuristic world is filled with the undead and that there are barely any humans left. Every seemingly-innocuous scene is made tense by the knowledge that the undead are just outside the fence, ready to attack at any moment. Their moans are ever-present. This is what makes the story so tense and so terrifying.
The constant threat and presence of danger makes every scene filled with tension, even those without any major action, because we know things are bound to go very wrong very soon. It’s interesting how creating such a menacing world automatically creates tension, even before we know anything about our main characters. We can’t help but read on, with one eye closed, knowing things are going to get pretty scary pretty soon.
- Categories: A Closer Look, Books, Craft
Great post. It’s something I need to process in order to do it right in my own novel…
Thanks Amber! I have to constantly remind myself of this in my own writing. Keeping up the tension is SO hard!
I agree. This is what I’m looking at right now in my revision–keeping up the tension, and is it the right kind of tension?
Cool – I haven’t read those yet, but they are definitely on my short list. I think that’s part of why I love this genre! It’s so easy to create such strong external tension – but what makes the greatest fantasy is the balance between that and the internal struggle.
I haven’t read those books yet, but I want to. Adding tension to every page sounds easy, but it’s hard to pull off believably. I keep trying, and finding good examples is sometimes the best way to learn.
Heather, isn’t that such a tricky thing? But if you go through a revision looking specifically for tension, I think it can really help. Good luck!
Lisa, I agree that the right balance between external and internal tension can be stunning. If you set it in a world that’s inherently tense, it only adds to the excitement!
Laura, it seems like such a daunting task to put tension on every page, doesn’t it? But you’re right that good examples can be very inspiring. In fact, reading this book has me itching to go back and do some revising!
I keep hearing about that book writing the breakout novel. sounds like a good one to read. Thanks.
Terry, I got so much from Maass’s book when I read it. In fact, I’m tempted to go back and reread it to soak up more of its wisdom!
Oooh, I got this ARC, too, and I can’t wait to read it. It’s next when I finish what I’m currently reading.
PJ, I’m about 100 pages in thus far and it’s SO creepy and interesting. I can’t wait to see what happens next, but I’m not letting myself read it anywhere near bedtime!