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| T is for TENSION |
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| Generally, it takes two to create tension but three is even better. |
T is for Tension because without it the reader turns pages. Every scene needs a source of tension. Tension is created when the sentences are short. The dialogue is confrontational. And, when time is running out.
HAL LONGLEAT AND THE TROUBLE WITH TRUTH
Down in the courtyard, the weary warrior was replaced by a steely soldier. After gripping his
chest and bending his head, the knight prepared to take his shot. What must it feel like to be a knight… to
know the arrow you fire could hurt another person? Hal shivered. The knight
was ready, his arm bent back behind him. The bow tensed. As a light breeze
shifted the edge of his white cloak, the knight remained still.
Could YOU have been gifted with the ability to identify
and eliminate weak and brittle phrases from your work? To the uninitiated,
these interlopers look like quality imagery.
CLICHÉ RAIDERS: REWRITE!
• take it
with a grain of salt
• thankful
for small mercies, be
• that’s
life
• tighten
our/your belts
• time
flies
• time
waits for no man
• tired
and emotional
• tomorrow
is another day
• torrential
rain
• trials
and tribulations
FOR T, I CHOSE TENSION. WHAT IS THE SUBJECT OF YOUR T POST?
