How To Write a Page Turner

1. Tension is the vital force that makes stories unputdownable.

Between the very sentences of page-turning stories thrums an element that pulls you on beneath your notice, beckoning you forward with an outstretched finger, your heart beating in anticipation all the while.

Tension is essential. Without tension, even well-crafted characters and plots fall flat. It's the connective tissue that keeps readers invested, characters engaged, and the narrative moving forward. Tension is not just suspense; it's a versatile element needed at every level of writing.

Lack of tension is deadly. Stories without tension feel dull, predictable, and inconsequential. Readers lose interest when scenes drag, characters meander, and the plot feels too easy. Tension keeps readers guessing and characters on their toes.

Crafted reality. Good stories are heightened, condensed versions of reality, focusing on the most interesting essentials. Tension transforms ordinary life into extraordinary fiction, making experiences sharper and more intense than they would be in the real world.

2. Master the core tension elements: Danger, Conflict, Uncertainty, and Withholding.

Tension, then, and its elements and tools are essential to the transformation of ordinary life into extraordinary fiction.

Foundational building blocks. Danger, conflict, uncertainty, and withholding are the four key elements that turn flat prose into a tense, taut story. They work individually and together to keep readers hooked and characters under pressure. Understanding these elements is crucial for crafting a compelling narrative.

Core definitions:

• Danger: Threat of harm (physical or psychological). Engages primal fear and empathy.
• Conflict: Opposition of forces (person vs. person, self, society, nature, technology, supernatural). Drives action and reveals character.
• Uncertainty: Not knowing the outcome. Creates anxiety and keeps readers guessing.
• Withholding: Preventing characters from getting what they want. Builds desire, frustration, and motivation.

Apply universally. These elements should be woven into every level of your writing, from individual sentences to overarching plotlines. Even subtle applications can significantly heighten a reader's engagement and concern for the characters.

3. Infuse characters with tension through inner conflict and flaws.

The best way to show characters at war with themselves is to have them use words and deeds.

Inner turmoil is compelling. A significant amount of tension comes from the complex inner landscape of a character's emotions and struggles. Characters battling conflicting feelings, desires, or urges feel more real and relatable to readers.

Flaws create tension. Character flaws, whether insecurities, backstory wounds, binding loyalties, or bad habits, are not weaknesses but sources of necessary internal conflict. They cause characters to stumble, make mistakes, and create problems for themselves and others, driving the narrative forward.

• Insecurities/Self-doubt: Lead to hesitation and missed opportunities.
• Backstory Wounds: Create vulnerabilities and deep-seated needs.
• Binding Loyalties: Force characters to act against their desires.
• Bad Behavior: Creates consequences and the need for redemption.

Growth through struggle. Characters grappling with inner conflict and flaws provide a strong growth trajectory. Their journey to overcome or master these internal obstacles is inherently tense and keeps readers invested in their transformation.

4. Relentlessly challenge and torment your protagonist.

You have to be hard on your characters, take things away, and keep goals just out of reach to keep them pushing onward.

Raise the stakes. To keep tension high, you must constantly make things difficult for your protagonist. This isn't sadism; it's a necessary technique to increase what they have to lose and what they must withstand, forcing them through a crucible of change.

Methods of torment:

• Loss: Take away people, objects, or opportunities they love or need most.
• Bad Timing: Introduce obstacles or crises at the worst possible moments.
• Ruin Reputation: Threaten or damage their standing in the community or profession.
• Stack Stakes: Pile on multiple challenges or bad news without pause.
• Betrayal: Have allies or loved ones turn against them.

Force creativity and strength. When faced with seemingly insurmountable circumstances, protagonists are forced to become creative, resourceful, and stronger than they thought possible. This process of overcoming adversity is what readers find most compelling.

5. Employ radical reversals to shock readers and force plot shifts.

A reversal is a jarring and often sudden change in the character’s goals and plans.

Disrupt expectations. Reversals are pivotal moments where a character's fortune, plans, or understanding of reality is abruptly flipped. They prevent the narrative from following a predictable straight line and inject sudden, high tension.

Types of reversals:

• Action Reversals: External events that stop or redirect the protagonist's physical progress or goals (e.g., a planned escape is thwarted).
• Emotional Reversals: Shifts in relationships, trust, or feelings (e.g., a trusted ally betrays the protagonist, a romantic interest rejects them).
• Reversals of Expectation: When a character's assumptions about a person or situation are proven wrong.

Force change and adaptation. Reversals are defeats that require the protagonist to change course, rethink strategy, and adapt to a new reality. They often occur after periods of relative calm, maximizing their impact and leaving the reader breathless with worry or surprise.

6. Make dialogue a source of tension, revealing character and driving action.

Dialogue is an instrument or a tool that you wield for very specific effects.

Beyond pleasantries. Dialogue should never be mere filler or realistic small talk. It's a powerful tool to create tension, deepen character understanding, and propel the plot forward. Every exchange should feel loaded with subtext or purpose.

Dialogue functions:

• Tug-of-War: Create subtle opposition even between allies, where one character is pushing ("yes, yes") and the other is resisting ("no, no").
• Reveal Character: Show who characters are through their word choices, tone, and what they are willing or unwilling to say aloud.
• Further Plot: Deliver new information, clues, or challenges that advance the narrative. Avoid using dialogue to simply explain things the reader hasn't seen.

Infuse tension elements. Dialogue can carry danger (threats, manipulation), conflict (arguments, disagreements), uncertainty (cryptic speech, dodging questions), and withholding (secrets, unspoken truths). Tense talk keeps readers engaged and adds layers to interactions.

7. Build dynamic tension through protagonist-antagonist power struggles.

Tension remains at its highest when the protagonist and antagonist are in a steady engagement of some kind throughout the story.

Opposition is necessary. Antagonists, whether people, forces of nature, or societal systems, are crucial for providing obstacles, raising stakes, and forcing the protagonist to act and change. Without opposition, the protagonist's journey lacks tension and purpose.

Power dynamic shifts. In most stories, the antagonist holds more power for the first two-thirds, constantly opposing the protagonist's goals. The protagonist gains strength and capability over time, becoming an equal match only near the climax. Temporary gains by the protagonist are often met with swift, punishing reactions from the antagonist.

Complex antagonists are best. While stereotypical villains exist, the most effective antagonists are complex and human, with understandable (though not necessarily sympathetic) motivations. Their backstory, wounds, or beliefs drive their opposition and create more nuanced power struggles.

• Power Hungry: Driven by a desire for control.
• Self-Righteous: Motivated by ideology or belief.
• Betrayed: Seeking vengeance for past hurts.
• Accidental: Become antagonists through circumstance or unintended consequences.

Constant engagement. The antagonist's presence, even if not physically in every scene, should be felt through the protagonist's reactions, fears, and plans. This continuous pressure maintains high tension throughout the narrative.

8. Anchor plot tension in a compelling inciting incident and pivotal energetic markers.

If you don’t have an inciting incident by page 50, your plot pace is likely too slow and your tension flabby.

Plot has structure. A strong plot isn't just a series of events; it's built on key pivot points that drive change and maintain tension. Understanding these markers helps writers structure their narrative and ensure consistent energy.

Key Energetic Markers:

• Point of No Return (Quarter Mark): The inciting incident forces the protagonist into a new reality or challenge they cannot easily escape. Must have stakes and consequences.
• Rededication (Midpoint): The protagonist actively chooses to commit to the difficult path ahead, gaining purpose and strength.
• Dark Night (Three-Quarters Mark): All hope seems lost; the protagonist faces their greatest loss or defeat, clearing the slate for final transformation.
• Triumph (Climax): The protagonist, now fully transformed, confronts and overcomes the antagonist, often in a hard-earned victory.

Build tension between markers. The journey between these markers should be filled with escalating conflict, new information, and challenges that prepare the protagonist for the next pivot. Each marker intensifies the pressure and forces character growth.

9. Ruthlessly eliminate unnecessary details that dilute tension.

Creating tension is as much a function of what you leave out as it is what you put in...

Trim the fat. Realistic life is full of mundane moments that kill tension on the page. Effective writing requires cutting anything that doesn't contribute to the story's energy, character development, or plot progression.

Tension killers to eliminate:

• Vagueness or Excruciating Detail: Characters, settings, or actions that are either too generic or overly detailed.
• Dreary Dialogue: Pleasantries or conversations that don't reveal character or advance plot.
• Stage Directions: Overly detailed descriptions of simple actions.
• Telegraphing: Announcing what a character will do before they do it.
• Thoughts in Action: Long internal monologues during high-stakes moments.
• Melodrama/Over-Sentimentality: Exaggerated emotions or saccharine descriptions that strain plausibility.
• Summary/Explanation: Telling the reader information instead of showing it through scene, action, or dialogue.

Focus on impact. Every word, sentence, and scene should have a purpose. If a detail, conversation, or description doesn't heighten tension, reveal character, or move the plot, it's likely unnecessary and should be cut or revised.

10. Leverage setting to create atmosphere, reveal character, and foreshadow.

Setting—the places, both inside and outside that your characters inhabit—has several important functions in the realm of a story.

Setting is more than backdrop. Beyond grounding the reader, setting is a powerful tool to build tension. It can create mood, reflect character, communicate information, and hint at future events.

Functions of tense setting:

• Atmosphere/Tone: Use sensory details to evoke specific feelings (e.g., eerie, oppressive, vibrant) that match the story's mood.
• World Building: Establish the rules, history, and unique elements of the story's environment, especially crucial in fantasy/sci-fi.
• Reflect Character: Describe settings through the character's perspective, revealing their mood, biases, or relationship to the place.
• Reveal Information: Show aspects of a character's life, status, or history through their interaction with their environment.
• Foreshadowing: Plant subtle hints of impending danger, conflict, or plot twists through environmental details or changes.

Avoid pitfalls. Don't overwhelm the reader with excessive description, but also avoid settings that are too vague. Ensure setting details are always tied to character experience or plot relevance to maintain tension and reader engagement.

Last updated: May 19, 2025