How to write build tension

Time

Add a deadline.

EXAMPLE

In "Back to the Future", Marty McFly has a deadline to fix the past and return to the future. This makes every moment count.

Secrets

Keep secrets. Characters with secrets or those lying to each other create anticipation.

EXAMPLE

In "Gone Girl", Amy's disappearance and the layers of deceit keep readers on edge.

Conflicting Goals

Give characters opposing goals. When what one character desperately wants is what another character desperately wants to prevent, tension is inevitable.

EXAMPLE

In "The Dark Knight", Batman’s goal to save Gotham conflicts with the Joker’s aim to plunge it into anarchy.

Raise Stakes

Make the outcome matter. Higher stakes mean higher tension.

EXAMPLE

In "Avengers: Infinity War", the fate of the universe is on line.

Closed Doors

Trap your characters--physically or emotionally.

EXAMPLE

In "The Shining", the Overlook Hotel traps the Torrance family.

Unreliable Narrator

Use an unreliable narrator.

EXAMPLE

In "Fight Club," the narrator’s unreliability slowly unravels. This heightens tension because the reader questions reality.

Powerful Antagonist

Craft a powerful antagonist. Make the villain seem almost unbeatable.

EXAMPLE

In "No Country for Old Men", Anton Chigurh is an unstoppable force. This makes every encounter tense.

Miscommunication

Use miscommunication. Make characters misunderstand each other at key moments.

EXAMPLE

In "Romeo and Juliet", miscommunication about Juliet’s death leads to tragedy.

Internal Conflict

Make the character fight against two decisions.

EXAMPLE

In "Hamlet", Hamlet’s indecision about avenging his father’s death creates tension.

Foreshadowing

Foreshadow events.

EXAMPLE

In "Jaws", the brief, deadly shark attacks at the beginning foreshadow danger.

Info

Withhold crucial information. Readers will feel a need to find out.

EXAMPLE

In "The Sixth Sense", key information is withheld until the end. This maintains high tension throughout the story.