Tension: The Key Ingredient for a Novel Readers Can’t Put Down
Jun 10, 2025•58 min•Ep. 165
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Episode description
Why do some books keep readers up all night while others fall flat?
If you've ever wondered whether your novel is gripping enough, you're not alone. One of the biggest challenges writers face is keeping readers hooked to the end.
In this week’s episode, we dive deep into what truly drives great storytelling. Whether you're writing legal thrillers, Amish fiction, or epic fantasy, tension is your secret weapon, and knowing how to dial it up or down can make or break your story.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Why reading current bestsellers (without judgment!) is key to leveling up your writing
- How different genres handle tension differently
- What every author needs to understand about their reader’s motive for reading
Listen in or read the blog version to discover the many types of tension and how to weave it into your novel to keep readers reading to the end.
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