Writing With Emotion, Tension, and Conflict

1. Conflict is the Engine of Every Story

If there’s no conflict, there’s no story.

Define conflict simply. Conflict is anything that stops your character from getting what they want. It's the opposition of persons or forces that creates dramatic action in fiction. Without conflict, a story is merely a series of unconnected events.

Conflict needs goals. For conflict to matter, characters must have concrete, believable goals. These goals usually fall into three categories: possession of something, relief from something, or revenge for something. Your job as the author is to make it difficult for them to achieve these goals by throwing opposition their way.

Conflict is intolerable. True conflict presents a situation your characters cannot ignore or easily explain away. It's not just a delay or a minor inconvenience; it's a state of affairs that forces them to act. Conflict is relative, depending on the character's motivation and circumstances.

2. Character Motivation Fuels Conflict and Reader Emotion

Weak, superficial motivations lead to weak, superficial conflict, which results in weak, superficial characters.

Motivation drives action. Every action a character takes must have a believable motivation rooted in their past experiences or core needs. This motivation makes their goals understandable and their reactions realistic to the reader. Build conflict directly into your characters from the planning stage.

Backstory shapes character. A character's prime motivating factor or incident is a past event that profoundly shaped who they are today. This backstory influences their beliefs, values, fears, and desires. Reveal backstory gradually, hinting at it first and fully disclosing it only when it's crucial to the plot or another character's understanding.

Readers connect through motivation. When readers understand why a character wants something or reacts a certain way, they can empathize and become emotionally invested. Their motivation makes the conflict matter to the reader.

3. Emotion Connects Readers: Make Them Care Deeply

In order for a reader to connect with a story, he must feel that he has a stake in the character’s plight and must care about the outcome.

Story is feelings. The most important concept in storytelling is that a story is feelings. Readers remember how a book made them feel, not just the plot points. Your primary task is to forge an emotional connection with your reader.

Emotional triggers are universal. Certain situations or character types automatically evoke strong feelings in readers. These "givens" include:

• Children, babies, animals
• Orphans, underdogs
• Sacrifice, bravery
• Loss, grief, fear
• Family relationships

Tap into shared human experience. You don't need to have lived through every scenario to write about it emotionally. Draw from your own understanding of core human emotions like pain, joy, fear, and love. Method writing, or becoming the character, helps you imagine their feelings authentically.

4. Deep Point of View Reveals Inner Character and Feelings

Using the character as the story’s camera and filter and monitoring their feelings and thoughts firsthand as they happen is deep point of view.

Show, don't tell, thoughts. Deep point of view immerses the reader directly into the character's mind and senses. Instead of saying "she thought" or "he wondered," simply present their thoughts and perceptions as if the reader is the character. This makes the experience immediate and personal.

Internal narrative is key. What a character thinks reveals their personality, insecurities, and growth throughout the story. Their internal narrative defines them and makes them sympathetic or unsympathetic to the reader. Ensure their thoughts match their background, intellect, and personality.

Avoid author intrusion. Eliminate phrases that remind the reader someone is writing the story, such as "he saw," "she heard," or excessive use of italics for thoughts. Let the character's reactions and internal monologue flow naturally within the narrative, making the author invisible.

5. Setting is an Active Element, Not Just a Backdrop

If used to its fullest advantage, the setting can keep all the storylines and viewpoints tied together.

Setting is the nervous system. More than just scenery, setting includes historical period, cultural attitudes, traditions, and even weather. It should be vital and central enough to develop its own personality and affect the characters. A story shouldn't be able to happen just anywhere.

Engage the senses. Bring your setting to life by describing it through the character's senses: sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. Use specific, vivid words to create mental pictures and evoke emotions in the reader. How a character reacts to their surroundings reveals much about them.

Setting affects character and plot. Location, time period, and environment can explain, motivate, or change a character. They can also tighten suspense (e.g., isolation) or relieve tension. Use setting details to add realism and intrigue, but avoid overwhelming the reader with unnecessary information or "info dumps."

6. Dialogue Brings Characters to Life and Drives Plot

Well-written dialogue is often more powerful than narrative.

Dialogue reveals character. What characters say and how they say it defines their personality, background, and inner conflicts. Dialogue should sound like the specific person speaking, reflecting their education, region, and individual quirks, but remain purposeful and compressed compared to real speech.

Dialogue moves the plot. Conversation is a primary tool for delivering information, escalating tension, and advancing the story. Place characters in scenes together to keep them talking and moving the plot forward. Balance dialogue with action and narrative to maintain pacing.

Use dialogue effectively.

• Avoid small talk that doesn't serve a purpose.
• Ensure it's always clear who is speaking.
• Use action beats instead of weak speech tags (e.g., "He slammed his fist on the table" instead of "he said angrily").
• Use "said" as the default tag; it's unobtrusive.
• Consider subtext – what is left unsaid can be powerful.

7. Tension Keeps Readers Engaged and Turning Pages

Tension is always about a questionable outcome.

Make the outcome doubtful. Tension arises when the reader is unsure if the character will achieve their goal or overcome the obstacles. Deprive the character (and reader) of a satisfactory resolution until the end. Use elements of surprise and keep the reader guessing.

Escalate conflict. Arrange pivotal scenes so that the intensity of the conflict increases throughout the story. Continuously say "no" to your characters, making their situations worse and forcing them to prove their mettle. The best conflict appears almost unsolvable.

Use pacing and hooks. Vary the pace with peaks of high tension and valleys of reflection or lower intensity. Use hooks – unanswered questions or unresolved conflicts – at the end of paragraphs, scenes, and chapters to compel the reader to keep reading. Don't end a scene with resolution; end it with worry or frustration.

8. Show, Don't Just Tell, for Reader Immersion

The difference between showing and telling is the difference between drawing your reader into the scene and simply giving him a glimpse from a distance.

Immerse the reader. Showing allows the reader to experience the scene firsthand through the character's senses and reactions, rather than being told about it from a distance. This creates a more vivid and emotionally engaging experience.

Use specific details. Instead of stating a fact (e.g., "The house was old"), show it through sensory details or character interaction (e.g., "The porch sagged, and paint peeled from the warped clapboard"). Focus on details that are important to the character or the plot.

Balance showing and telling. While showing is crucial for key scenes, telling is necessary for transitions, summarizing mundane events, or moving the story quickly from one point to another. Learn when to show for impact and when to tell for efficiency.

9. Sacrifice and Vulnerability Create Sympathetic Characters

Sacrifice is always endearing.

Characters must risk something. To make characters truly heroic and relatable, they must make a sacrifice or take a significant risk. This doesn't always mean life or death; it could be sacrificing a deeply held value, a cherished possession, or their own comfort for another person or cause.

Show vulnerability. Perfect characters are boring and unrelatable. Give your protagonists flaws, insecurities, and fears. Watching them struggle with these internal conflicts makes them human and earns the reader's empathy and support.

Don't tell the reader how to feel. Instead of stating a character is sad or brave, show it through their actions, reactions, dialogue, and internal thoughts. Let the reader interpret their emotions based on the evidence you provide. Avoid melodrama; aim for genuine emotional impact.

10. Research and Specific Details Build Realism

Because the closer you are to achieving reality in your story, the more your readers will buy into it.

Credibility is key. Whether writing historical, fantasy, or contemporary fiction, accuracy in details is crucial. Readers are smart and will notice inaccuracies, which can pull them out of the story. Research thoroughly, even for fictional locations, to make your world believable.

Use research subtly. Weave research details into the narrative and dialogue naturally, only when needed and relevant to the character or plot. Avoid "info dumps" where you unload large amounts of research at once. Sprinkle details for flavor and authenticity.

Research fuels imagination. Research shouldn't just be about facts; it should inspire new ideas for scenes, characters, and conflicts. Use photos, maps, historical accounts, and other resources to visualize your world and deepen your understanding of your characters' lives.

11. Organize Your Writing Process for Success

It’s a whole lot easier to write a synopsis before a book is written.

Plan ahead (at least a little). While some writers prefer pantsing, having a basic plan, knowing your characters' goals and conflicts, and understanding where the story is headed can prevent significant problems later. A synopsis or character prep sheets can be invaluable tools.

Develop a system that works for you. Whether you use index cards, binders, outlines, or software, find a method for organizing your ideas, research, and character details that supports your creative process. Don't feel pressured to follow someone else's system if it doesn't fit your style.

Balance writing and research. Research is important, but don't let it become a form of procrastination. Know enough to get started, and then write. Look up details as you need them, or leave placeholders to fill in later. The goal is to finish the story.

Last updated: May 19, 2025