What is tension?
I love this definition: “Delicious moments of anxious uncertainty.” Doesn’t that grab you and make you want to create those kinds of moments in your stories? So how do you do that?
- You make your characters want something.
- You create obstacles for them.
- You don’t let them have what they want.
- You keep them trying to get it. . .for a while.
To enhance this tension of WANTING BUT NOT GETTING, Carol Kilgore has added the TICKING CLOCK. A perfect tension heightener. With character trying to overcome obstacles against the clock, readers have to turn the pages, and that’s exactly what writers want.
By the end of a long evening working as a special set of eyes for the presidential security detail, all Kat Marengo wants is to kick off her shoes and stash two not-really-stolen rings in a secure spot. Plus, maybe sleep with Dave Krizak. No, make that definitely sleep with Dave Krizak. The next morning, she wishes her new top priorities were so simple.
As an operative for a covert agency buried in the depths of the Department of Homeland Security, Kat is asked to participate in a matter of life or death—locate a kidnapped girl believed to be held in Corpus Christi, Texas. Since the person doing the asking is the wife of the president and the girl is the daughter of the first lady’s dearest friend, it’s hard to say no.
Kat and Dave quickly learn the real stakes are higher than they or the first lady believed and will require more than any of them bargained for.
The kicker? They have twenty-four hours to find the girl—or the matter of life or death will become more than a possibility.
CAROL KILGORE |
Carol writes grocery lists, texts to her family, new lyrics to old songs for her dogs, love notes to her husband, and novels for herself. And for you. In between, she blogs weekly at Under the Tiki Hut and is active on Facebook and Twitter.
She sees mystery and subterfuge everywhere. And she’s a sucker for a good love story—especially ones with humor and mystery. Crime Fiction with a Kiss gives her the latitude to mix and match throughout the broad mystery and romance genres. Having flexibility makes her heart happy.
You can connect with Carol and her books here:
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WRITE CLUB STARTS TODAY |
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“Do what you have to do resolutely, with all your heart. The traveler who hesitates only raises dust on the road.”
I’m guilty of hesitating and raising dust, but I’m working on being resolute. How about you? And will you visit The Write Club today and cast a vote? I’m off to do that. Also don’t forget Secrets of Honor is waiting for you.
Elizabeth Mueller says
Love the definition of tension! Did you write that? 😉
♥.•*¨Elizabeth¨*•.♥
Medeia Sharif says
I like the idea of a ticking clock. I love seeing that in movies and books. Great tips on tension.
Tara Tyler R says
awesome advice for keeping a reader on the edge of their seat! tension is one of my favorite parts of reading! yay for carol!
Michelle Wallace says
Point #3 – Do not give them what they want!
Mmm, maybe I can use that to get some ideas, so I can complete the outline that I'm stuck with…
I love the "ticking clock" concept and the sound of Carol's book!
DMS says
A ticking clock definitely adds tension to a story! A race against time always has me on the edge of my seat. 🙂 Thanks for sharing and wishing Carol the best of luck.
~Jess
Shooting Stars Mag says
Thanks for sharing. Love that definition for tension. It really is an important aspect of any book. You want your readers flipping the pages like crazy!
-Lauren
M Pax says
Congrats to Carol! Tension is key to me liking a book. It can be so delicious.
Crystal Collier says
Wahoo! Write Club has begun! I'm stoked, and yay Carol!
Page turners are the best.
Empty Nest Insider says
Great lead-in to Carol's book! I agree that tension is key for drawing in readers.
Julie
Patricia Lynne says
I definitely love a novel with good tension that leaves me refusing to put the book down.
Nicki Elson says
Hey, I was just at Write Club. 🙂
Do NOT give them what they want! What a great way to put it. And yes, Carol's ticking clock sure does raise the tension.
Cherie Reich says
A ticking clock definitely increases the tension. Congrats to Carol!
Deirdra says
Hi I'm looking for your contact info for a bookreview/post?
Can you email me at EdenLiterary at gmail dot com
Teresa Powell Coltrin says
I need to get Carol's new book blurb up on my site. I meant to before now but things happened.
As a writer we need to keep the reader off balance (is that too harsh?) as well as entertained. 🙂
C. Lee McKenzie says
Off balance works. If they're guessing what's going to happen next that's engaging them.
Jennifer Chandler says
Thanks so much for stopping by my post the other day and for following, I appreciate it 🙂
Tension is an absolute must in stories. If there's nothing going on, there's no reason for us to care about the characters. I do enjoy creating tension in my stories. Sometimes I feel I create too much but it is fun to torture them…sometimes…
Cheers!
Jen
C. Lee McKenzie says
Torturing characters is cathartic. Much better than taking out those aggressions on real people. 🙂
klahanie says
Hi Lee and Carol,
How delightful to note that the lovely Carol is being featured on this delightful of delightfully delightful blogs.
The Secrets of Honour, oops, must type in American, Gary, The Secrets of Honor is a must. This means it's also time to share this post. Yep even of Farcebook!
Ticking clock. Race against time? Or is that aliens who hate clocks?
The Write Club, sorry, I will give that a miss.
The starstuckest fan who is running way behind shall now backtrack to your other post and then lie down in a darkened room.
Gary
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks for the Farcebook attention.
Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com says
I like the word "delicious" in reference to tension.
Thank you, Carol and Lee.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I think so so too.
Lady Lilith says
Tension is a very difficult feeling to capture. I like it when it is done right though. I can almost feel like I am part of the party.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Pulling the reader into the story is exactly what you have to do.
Carol Kilgore says
Thanks for using my cover and blurb as part of your post about creating tension. Much appreciated.
C. Lee McKenzie says
You bet.
Lynda Dietz says
Anything described as a "delicious moment" always makes me want to experience it. There's something about that word, "delicious," that gives me a shiver. The book sounds great!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Some words just sound wonderful to the ear. Delicious is one of them. . .at least for me!
Stephanie Faris says
Nothing heightens the tension like a race against the clock. It's almost hard to put those books down and go to bed when it's time!
Natalie Aguirre says
Love the definition you quoted. And a ticking clock or other deadline definitely raises the stakes.
Loni Townsend says
My dad always said, "He who hesitates waits." Your quote made me think of that.
Carol's book cover is pretty. I'm going to have to add it to my TBR list.
C. Lee McKenzie says
It's hard to always move forward when the choices are clear.
Misha Gericke says
Very good way to put it.
I've recently had to put tension and how to create it into words as well. Was actually a very good exercise for me.
C. Lee McKenzie says
It is good to nail down how to do something.
Jay Noel says
Yes, talk about tension! I guess that's why the tv show 24 is so thrilling.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Absolutely. We can learn so much by watching the successful series on TV.
Melissa says
A ticking clock always keeps me on the edge of my seat.
Great post!. 🙂
C. Lee McKenzie says
I like it and I know kids do.
DEZMOND says
whenever I see the banner for that WRITE CLUB I have a feeling it's giving me the middle finger :))
C. Lee McKenzie says
Probably. Nicely disguised though, isn't it?
Susan Gourley/Kelley says
Carole's book sounds really tense. The ticking clock is a good way to ramp up the tension.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Always keeps me reading.
SA Larsenッ says
Speeding up time is always a great way to add tension! Thanks so much.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I guess that's why playing with the clock in fantasy is always exciting.
Barbara Watson says
Tension, yes. On every page. I like these 'pictures' of sorts as to how to do incorporate it.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I know it takes work to put that tension into word.
Angela Brown says
I've always found the ticking clock to be a major tension heightener. That really makes you want to see what happens and if the characters beat the countdown.
For an MG story, I have someone fall ill causing a ticking clock of sorts forcing the chacracters to find help or a cure before ill turns ill-fatal.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Kids love to see the minutes tick off to doom.
Beverly Stowe McClure says
The ticking clock sounds good. Will remember that.
The book sounds exciting. Congratulations to Carol.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Love the ticking clock in books. I'll stay up all night to find out how those books turn out.
L. Diane Wolfe says
It's always more tense with a countdown. It's like waiting for a bomb to explode.
C. Lee McKenzie says
When writers do this well, it's so exciting.
Alex J. Cavanaugh says
A race against time is always thrilling.
Saw that Write Club kicked off today – will go read and vote later.
C. Lee McKenzie says
This is always fun. Glad DL is doing it again.