Three Ways to Add Tension to a Scene During Revisions

By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy

Tension is vital to all stories, but let’s face it—we don’t always have it in every scene. I’ve written plenty of scenes that moved the plot along and conveyed the information I wanted to share, but were weak on tension, especially in a first draft. I’d guess a lot of first draft scenes lack tension because the focus in often on getting the story, setting, or characters down (or any combination of those).

Since writers usually know what is going to happen in a scene and why, it's easy to write all the tension out of a scene. That critical sense of uncertainty goes missing, or we might not write something because we know it won't affect the outcome of the scene, so why bother? But that potential outcome can raise the tension and make the reader wonder what might happen.

Luckily, tension is something you can add during the second draft. Let's look at a few ways to just that:

1. Add tension between characters

Look at the characters in your scene. If everyone is on the same page and working as one, you could be missing out on potential areas for tension.

Can anyone be actively trying to prevent your protagonist from getting or doing what he wants? Look for people with reasons not to help your protagonist. A clerk who isn’t being helpful. A guard they have to sneak past. A minion of the antagonist with a full-on plan to stop them. Any type of conflict, large or small, that could make the outcome uncertain.

Can anyone disagree with your protagonist? Even if two people want the same thing, they might have different ideas on how to get it. Look for people who might have other ideas about what the protagonist is doing. Maybe they flat out think she’s wrong, or maybe they agree but think she’s going about it the wrong way. Maybe these opposite opinions can make the reader wonder if the protagonist's view is right or not, adding more uncertainty.

Can anyone have an agenda of her own that interferes with your protagonist’s plan? If two guys are after the same girl, one might try to sabotage the other. Or maybe a secondary character thinks she’s protecting the hero by making sure he fails. Even good intentions can create trouble if the person hearing the advice doesn't like it.

Can anyone be keeping things from your protagonist? Secrets are great ways to add uncertainty and keep readers guessing, especially if they suspect that secret could affect the protagonist or his plan. Even something minor that does little more than embarrass a character if he reveals it could keep things interesting.

(Here's more on Shh! It's a Secret: How to Raise Tension and Conflict in a Scene)

2. Add tension with the setting

Life doesn’t always play along. It rains when we want to go on a picnic, the restaurant that was supposed to be romantic has a busload of rowdy school kids on a field trip, or the power goes out when we really need that computer. Murphy’s Law happens, and which environment you put your characters into could add some conflict and raise the tension in that scene.

Can weather be a factor? Someone who's cold and miserable might say things they ordinarily wouldn't. A trip that might be easy in clear weather could be dangerous in bad weather. A bright, sunny day might cause trouble for someone who really needed it to rain.

Will changing location make the goals harder? Sneaking through a park you grew up next to feels different than sneaking through an area you've never seen before. A new location can add a layer of uncertainty and make your protagonist worry or second guess her decisions, because she doesn't know every corner or where she is.

Is there a setting or location that causes your characters stress or discomfort? If you protagonist is terrified of heights, forcing them into the air will affect how they'll act. Being in public when they have something private to say might throw off the protagonist's focus. So can being alone with someone in a romantic location when romance is the last thing on their minds.

(Here's more on Setting up the Tension in Your Novel)

3. Add tension with the self

Sometimes the problem isn't about external forces. A personal struggle can be even more powerful because it's so emotional. Making readers wonder what a character might do in a rough situation is a surefire way to keep tensions high.

Can your protagonist face a moral dilemma? She can get what she needs, but she doesn't really approve of what she'll have to do. He must make a personal sacrifice, and maybe he isn't prepared or ready to do so. Or the cost of that action has far-reaching consequences. Do the ends really justify the means?

Can the right choice require going against a personal belief? The "right" answer or course of action is clearly, absolutely in conflict with everything the protagonist knows is right and true. Doing a bad thing for a good cause.

Can the protagonist face something that forces him to address an issue he's been avoiding? This is a great tension builder for a character who needs to learn a lesson and grow. Characters don't always want to face their demons, but they have no choice if you shove them right up in their faces. And the fallout can be devastating.

Can she face an impossible choice? Impossible choices have no clear answers, which means the reader won't see it coming. Maybe the only way to save the child is to let the mother die. Or something horrible will happen no matter what the protagonist does. If you get your readers thinking, "I have no idea how this is going to turn out," you'll keep them hooked.

Small changes can affect big results, so try starting small and building outward. Look for ways to build tensions on a smaller scale, with simple changes to dialogue or how someone reacts to something. You can raise the tension without having to change how a scene unfolds.

(Here's more on Whoa, That’s Tense. 3 Ways to Raise the Tension in Your Scenes)

What are your favorite ways to add tension to a scene? 


Find out more about conflict and tension in my book, Understanding Conflict (And What It Really Means).

With in-depth analysis and easy-to-understand examples, Understanding Conflict (And What It Really Means) teaches you what conflict really is, discusses the various aspects of conflict, and reveals why common advice on creating conflict doesn't always work. It shows you how to develop and create conflict in your novel and explores aspects that affect conflict, as well as clarifying the misconceptions that confuse and frustrate so many writers.

This book will help you:

• Understand what conflict means and how to use it
• Tell the difference between external and internal conflicts
• See why conflict isn't a "one size fits all" solution
• Determine the type of conflict your story needs
• Fix lackluster scenes holding your writing back

Understanding Conflict (And What It Really Means) is more than just advice on what to do and what not to do—it’s a down and dirty examination and analysis of how conflict works, so you can develop it in whatever style or genre you’re writing. By the end of this book, you’ll have a solid understanding of what conflict means and the ability to use it without fear or frustration.

Available in paperback and ebook formats.

Janice Hardy is the award-winning author of the teen fantasy trilogy The Healing Wars, including The Shifter, Blue Fire, and Darkfall from Balzer+Bray/Harper Collins. The Shifter, was chosen for the 2014 list of "Ten Books All Young Georgians Should Read" from the Georgia Center for the Book.

She also writes the Grace Harper urban fantasy series for adults under the name, J.T. Hardy.

When she's not writing novels, she's teaching other writers how to improve their craft. She's the founder of Fiction University and has written multiple books on writing.

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