Thursday's Tips: Don't Drain the Tension



Homeostasis. Are you familiar with this term? Here’s the definition: a state of equilibrium or a tendency to reach equilibrium. People strive for this in our lives because no one wants to be out of control or in pain, or whatever it is that takes us out of balance. Makes sense. It’s commendable, even, but our characters cannot have a homeostatic existence. If they do, our writing is dry and without tension. 

Let me explain. Because writers are human and like peace, composure, and balance, we tend to help (let?) our characters have that as well. A threat approaches in the story and we instinctively try to squelch it. We come up with a quick fix and since we’re the writer, we enact it. There. Problem solved. Except, now we’ve unplugged the hole and drained out all the tension that our story inherently tried to gain. 

I believe one of the reasons writers do this is because they’re afraid of not keeping things straight. That reasoning might fit the SOTP (seat-of-the-pants/non-outlining) writers. If they solve the problem quickly, they don’t have to remember to tie up the thread. Solution: make yourself a note and get back to it later. 

Another reason is we'd rather not feel tense. I was watching a TV show the other night and I noticed how tense I felt. Crazy. It was just a television show. But I wanted to avoid the tension playing out on the screen. Same is true in our writing. We'd rather avoid the tension we'll feel as we write the scene. But a good story, one that shows the contrast of light against dark (Christian fiction), must include some darkness. Don't avoid it. Include it. Then the ultimate breakthrough will be all the more impactful and emotional.

The best writing involves writer vulnerability. Writers must make themselves vulnerable, dig deeply into their own painful or stressful times, and include those elements on the page in order for readers to: 1) relate; 2) sympathize; and 3) stay engaged. Another reason not to return things to calm too soon.

A story without tension is not a (readable or enjoyable) story. We must have tension. 

As you’re writing your story, catch yourself if you find your character solving a problem too quickly. Let problems linger. Let your characters suffer. Don’t bring them back to a calm state too quickly. In fact, let the tension escalate by raising the stakes. Let things get worse. Let conflicts go unresolved for a while. Readers will love you for it as they keep turning pages.

Tactical Tuesday: Advice for Self Editing

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary describes a cliche as a trite phrase or expression or something that has become overly familiar or commonplace.

While the use of cliches is perfectly acceptable for songwriters, editors generally frown upon them. Why? Because they are a lazy form of writing. Readers want something fresh and original, and there are some fun ways to add new life to tired old cliches:

1. Amp up a familiar saying or add some humor to it. For example: Nellie put her hands on her hips and turned to look at her husband sleeping on the couch. Outside Junior cranked the old lawnmower. It sputtered once or twice then kicked into gear. Nellie watched as he pushed the old contraption across the lawn. "The acorn doesn't fall far from the tree, but thank goodness sometimes when they fall, they roll away." She shook her head as she passed her husband's prone figure and headed into the kitchen. Junior would want some lemonade when he finished the job.

2. Counter a cliche with a reaction or a revelation into the insight of the charater. This might not always pass the muster of an editor, but assume an author develops a character whose uniqueness comes from the use of cliches. Maybe they are localized expressions or the character is simply the kind of person who utters cliches as a form of communication. Counter the cliche with a reaction from another character or as in the following example, let the cliche show the reader something about the character that the character might not understand about herself: Katie slammed the kitchen door. She stopped halfway between the porch and the barn and stomped her feet in a fit of anger. "You're as stubborn as an old mule, Zed," she yelled back toward the house. No wonder we never get anything done. You want it your way. I want it mine."

Zed opened the door with a smile. "Two peas in a pod, huh, Katie?"

Again, not all editors will be open to this, and it will take considerable talent to pull this off.

3. Twist the cliche. In an upcoming Pelican release, author Donn Taylor relieves the tense scenes in his thriller, Deadly Additive, by allowing characters to mangle the expressions so familiar to the reader, and it is a delightful addition to an excellent story, one you won't want to miss.

Cliches can be fun in our writing if we change them up in creative ways. When self-editing, these overly used sayings should be identified and either eliminated or used in a more creative manner.

Next week we'll look at some of the new "tired, old" cliches that are working their way into romance and discuss ways to bring new life to the way we show romantic feelings in our stories.

Until then, happy editing.


Write the Vision ~ Wednesday

When one thinks of Moses we all remember the leader, the prince, the great servant of God but Moses was also a writer. Many of his attributes can be encouraging to writers today.

*Moses had Vision...
Proverbs 29:18 says "Where there is no vision the people perish." Moses certainly had that, as did Noah...Abraham... Hebrews 11 is devoted to those who had Vision, and Faith to keep going. He could see what needed to be done.  He knew where he needed to go. He noticed things others didn't. He saw the Burning Bush when others didn't.

*Moses had earthly help...
Exodus 17:12 Aaron and Hur held up his arms when he couldn't keep them raised.Sometimes it's hard to keep our arms up, or hands to the keyboard. It's always wonderful to have that friend who like Aaron and Hur encourages--or perhaps you can be the person holding up another's arms. Moses didn't isolate himself, he accepted help from others.

*Moses didn't ever get where he wanted to be...he always worked toward a goal.
Moses saw the promised land but he didn't get there but the end result was--He never quit. He never stopped. He didn't rest on his accomplishments. This reminds me of an old saying -- "If you aren't green and growing, you're ripe and rotting." Moses never stopped trying--never stopped working. St. Paul reiterated this when he wrote,  "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended; but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before."  (Phil. 3:13) Paul like Moses had his goal, and Paul like Moses kept pressing on.

Happy Writing

Make-A-Story™ Monday's Writing Prompt

Writing to spec – you’ve heard the term. It means writing what the publisher wants. Can you do it? In our new feature - Make-A-Story™, we ask you to create a story with these elements. The story can be set in any time frame, any length, must adhere to our guidelines and have our standard Christian world view. A jump rope A cat A ranch