Comments on: Supertaunt Tension and Sizzling Stakes

By: Naomi Canale

Naomi Canale — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 19:39:54 +0000

This is such a great post. I was at critique not to long ago and a newbie to informed me she couldn’t read past the first page, she was disturbed. I guess I did what I was supposed to do, according to this post, yay! I tried not to take it to personal, but what my character was going through was real because I went through it. I did end up toning it down a bit. Thanks Mary for sharing your knowledge, your so wise! You know your a great agent when, writers dream of having you as an agent because you help improve their craft so immensely.

By: Laura Perdew

Laura Perdew — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 23:01:03 +0000

Love thisinfo! I copied and pasted it for my own writing files. The information is easy to use and practical…I think I’ll use it when outlining my next novel as a pre-writing exercise.

By: Piper

Piper — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 20:41:45 +0000

This post just helped me with a huge problem in my MG. The whole story hinges on a group of kids attempting to solve a mystery, but something felt off and now I see that I haven’t given them a ‘real’ reason for doing anything. I’m now infusing the story with kid-friendly motivation and things are crackling along quite nicely.

How fun it must be to know that every post on your blog changes writers’ lives and gives people hope and inspiration. You rock!

By: Jackee

Jackee — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 16:23:56 +0000

Great stuff, Mary, thanks!

I love that you use the word button. I might steal that one, if you don’t mind.

By: Karen Collum

Karen Collum — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 11:20:44 +0000

Excellent post, Mary. You’ve really clarified this for me and I feel like I have a better grasp of both tension and stakes now, so thank you. I can now revise with this in mind, but also write with it in mind too. So many gems

By: Christina

Christina — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 11:13:37 +0000

Great advice as always. You really should think about teaching a writer’s class. You have the knack for it! Thanks for sharing.

By: Silvia

Silvia — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 00:41:26 +0000

I’ve been checking this blog for a while and it’s the first time I’ve copied and pasted so many posts. Thank you for the great advice!

By: Melissa

Melissa — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 18:49:36 +0000

If any of the rest of you are struggling with this issue as much as I am, check out THE INTERN’s thoughts on the subject: http://internspills.blogspot.com/2009/11/nanorevismo-1-electric-kool-aid.html

By: Melissa

Melissa — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 09:11:06 +0000

“Tension is a feeling of unease, of something unresolved, that usually bubbles under the surface of the story.”

That’s the key for me. Books about writing always say that a scene should advance the plot OR tell the reader something new about the character. In my writing, when my my plot moves forward quickly, it’s all fine. The tension bubbles. But when I try to slow down and focus in on developing a character, the bubbles pop.

Thanks again, Mary. Your post clarified the issue nicely. Now I know better what I need to study when I read published books.

Best,
Melissa

By: bjanderson

bjanderson — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 05:07:53 +0000

This is going to be another one to print out and put in my “revision” binder. Right after I start up the grill for my steaks. Thanks for the great info!