How to Write Tension That Keeps Readers Hooked

Practical techniques to increase tension and suspense

Tension is what keeps readers turning pages. It’s that feeling of anticipation, unease, or excitement that makes a book impossible to put down. Whether you’re writing a thriller, a romance, or even a literary novel, tension is a key ingredient in keeping your audience engaged.

So, how do you create tension that pulls readers in and refuses to let them go? Let’s break it down.

Make Your Characters Want Something—And Put It Just Out of Reach

Tension thrives on desire and obstacles. Your protagonist should have a clear goal, but something (or someone) should constantly be standing in their way. The more they struggle to get what they want, the more invested readers become.

Example: A detective is close to uncovering a killer’s identity but loses a key piece of evidence. A woman is about to confess her love when she sees her rival kiss the person she adores.

Raise the Stakes

The higher the stakes, the greater the tension. Ask yourself: What happens if your protagonist fails? If the consequences are too mild, readers won’t feel the urgency.

Example: Instead of a character simply missing a deadline, make it so that missing the deadline will ruin their career, destroy a relationship, or put someone in danger.

Keep the Pressure On

Great tension doesn’t let up too soon. As soon as one problem seems to be resolved, introduce another. This doesn’t mean nonstop action—it means a steady sense of unresolved conflict.

Example: Just as a character escapes a dangerous situation, they receive a threatening message that tells them they’re not safe yet.

Play with Pacing

Short, snappy sentences create a sense of urgency. Longer, more descriptive passages slow things down and allow tension to build. Varying your sentence length and pacing can make tense scenes even more gripping.

Try this: Write an action-heavy scene with short sentences that mimic the quick movements of your character. Then, slow things down with lingering descriptions just before a dramatic reveal.

Use the Power of Uncertainty

One of the best ways to create tension is to leave readers unsure of what’s going to happen next. Drop hints, but don’t reveal everything at once. Make them question a character’s motives or whether things are really as they seem.

Example: A friendly neighbour offers to help, but something about their smile seems… off.

Let the Reader Know More Than the Character

Sometimes, giving the reader information that the protagonist doesn’t have creates delicious suspense. This technique, often used in thrillers, keeps readers on edge as they wait for the inevitable moment when the character discovers the truth.

Example: The reader knows there’s someone hiding in the closet, but the protagonist is blissfully unaware as they step into the dark room.

Chapters That Keep Readers Turning the Page

A strong chapter ending should leave your reader eager to continue, whether through an unresolved question, a moment of heightened tension, or a new development that shifts the story’s direction. Not every chapter needs a dramatic twist, but each one should create a sense of momentum, making it hard for the reader to put the book down

Example: He replayed the voicemail again, his pulse hammering. The voice was distorted, but the last two words were unmistakable. “You’re next. [End chapter]

Final Thoughts

Tension is all about keeping readers engaged, making them desperate to know what happens next. By setting up strong conflicts, raising stakes, and carefully controlling what the reader knows, you can create a story that keeps them hooked from the first page to the last.

Looking to refine the tension in your own writing? A writing coach can help you identify where your story might need an extra push to keep readers on the edge of their seats. Let’s work together to make your story unputdownable.