Dialogue Needs Tension.

Is this a familiar scene for you? Perhaps you’ve had this exact conversation with a family member or a friend.

“What do you want for dinner?”
“Pasta is fine.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah, but I’m okay with whatever you pick.”

We can all agree that this scene feels flat. It’s dull to write and duller to read. But why? How could such a commonplace conversation be so boring?

The answer is no tension.

Most of us don’t want tension in our real-life conversations. We prefer to resolve things as soon as possible. If you answer a question with anything other than a straightforward or witty remark, people will see your answer as picking a fight.

When it comes to storytelling, tension is essential. A scene with tension fits naturally into a story, while a scene without tension should have to fight an uphill battle to justify its existence. This is because tension keeps the reader wanting to know more. A curious reader is an engaged reader.

When writing scenes, pay attention to your desire to resolve. Pay attention to your desire to write “question-and-answer” dialogue pairs, where each question is immediately resolved.

Answering a question is like popping a balloon. Boom. All reader interest disappears.

Instead, try to follow a question with a non-answer, or another question.

For example:

“What do you want for dinner?”
“You and I both know it doesn't matter what I pick.”

Or:

“What do you want for dinner?”
“I thought you already made dinner?”

Or, even better:

“What do you want for dinner?”
“Why are you even talking to me?"

Today’s writing tip: Don’t let your dialogue tension resolve. The longer you can draw out your tension, the more engaged your readers will be.

Today’s writing assignment: Remember the snippet at the beginning of this email? Change or continue the dialogue after “Pasta is fine.” to increase tension. Reply to this email with your answer and your initials for a chance to be featured in the next newsletter.

Last email we looked at thesis statements in fiction writing. Here are two great responses I received:

GPG: I’m done!” Anne muttered, as she lifted her head from the keyboard in front of her. This unwelcomed, almost foreign fatigue was the final jolt in yet another late night. Derived out of a sordid captivity. Surrounded by dull cubicle walls, the constant hum of fluorescent lights and glaring tackboards. In contrast to her flowing auburn hair, set around glowing amber green eyes, is now the sad countenance proving a brilliant passion departed.

CL: It was already midnight, but Anne was nowhere close to finishing her work. Tonight, as was the norm on these late nights, she felt as if the cubicle walls were closing in. The hum of the old fluorescent lights and the gray tackboard walls constantly reminded her of her captivity. She sat at her desk and banged her head against the keyboard, muttering the words “I’m done” over and over again.

P.S. Sorry, I can’t feature everyone. This email would be a mile long. Rest assured, you’re doing great. Keep writing.