tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post8194139606879903029..comments2023-09-06T05:48:05.398-06:00Comments on Terry's Place: It's About Conflict and TensionTerry Odellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-39419802362537415432011-09-23T18:44:27.706-06:002011-09-23T18:44:27.706-06:00Tension is one of those things that took me foreve...Tension is one of those things that took me forever to recognize in a format tuT I could talk about. Before it was 'this doesn't feel significant enough' but I couldn't define it any more solidly then that. This is a great post for pointing out exactly why the tension goes up in each paragraph and how the tension breaks in the last one. Thank you!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06722557426104272152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-78222917146783026752011-06-02T09:40:35.659-06:002011-06-02T09:40:35.659-06:00I know he's right. I once spent about 2 minute...I know he's right. I once spent about 2 minutes talking to Donald Maass at a conference and his succinct question about the second book in my series was perfect: "Is it better than the first?" It wasn't, at that point, but it is now. LizElizabeth C. Mainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00168651327575887089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-58661853023058333082011-06-02T07:21:21.195-06:002011-06-02T07:21:21.195-06:00Elizabeth C. -- well, it can be a goal. And as I&#...Elizabeth C. -- well, it can be a goal. And as I've tried to show, it's simply making characters want something, which can be something trivial--and then tossing obstacles in their way.<br /><br />Ciara - I've only been to one of Maass' workshops, but (can you guess) it was on microtension and very helpful.<br /><br />Brinda - thanks. As we all know, 'show' is better than 'tell'! :-)Terry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-13978412626636571542011-06-02T06:37:58.867-06:002011-06-02T06:37:58.867-06:00Thank you for such an informative post. I like how...Thank you for such an informative post. I like how you show the conflict in each paragraph instead of just telling me about it.Brindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09809660700359597836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-55080274162039802492011-06-02T06:10:45.427-06:002011-06-02T06:10:45.427-06:00I've worked with a lot of Donald Mass' tec...I've worked with a lot of Donald Mass' technique. I find them all extremely helpful in the writing process.Ciarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15628488753277495111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-84056983415318930472011-06-01T22:57:30.560-06:002011-06-01T22:57:30.560-06:00Donald Maass pushes everyone to raise the stakes, ...Donald Maass pushes everyone to raise the stakes, mostly to our great benefit. However, every paragraph? That's tough. LizElizabeth C. Mainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00168651327575887089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-14914343178608103002011-06-01T17:49:17.750-06:002011-06-01T17:49:17.750-06:00Janice, tension doesn't have to be major or tr...Janice, tension doesn't have to be major or traumatic, or high-action. It can be quite simple, which is what I tried to show here. <br /><br />Elizabeth - I agree, and how your character deals with these frustrations says a lot.Terry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-58829213303256424912011-06-01T17:27:04.390-06:002011-06-01T17:27:04.390-06:00I always like to throw in a little extra tension i...I always like to throw in a little extra tension in a scene--it doesn't have to be epic, but even the everyday little frustrations can definitely add to a scene. :)Elizabeth Spann Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15625595247828274405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-90273273753940603652011-06-01T14:35:54.524-06:002011-06-01T14:35:54.524-06:00Yes, tension, but you don't have to have it in...Yes, tension, but you don't have to have it in ever scene. Sometimes readers need a rest, but only a short one.<br /><br />Janice~Janice Seagraveshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02576031935823587485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-86090228865902726942011-06-01T06:42:01.231-06:002011-06-01T06:42:01.231-06:00Jan - there ARE a lot of lessons, aren't there...Jan - there ARE a lot of lessons, aren't there. That's why I try to share what I'm learning along the way. Glad you had time to visit again.Terry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30931389.post-31727463469445769682011-06-01T05:39:32.355-06:002011-06-01T05:39:32.355-06:00this was definitely the hardest lesson I`ve had to...this was definitely the hardest lesson I`ve had to learn as a writer. Because I`m also a psychotherapist, I`m always trying to `cure` my protagonists! Argghh. Thanks for an interesting post and also, I just caught up on your last few posts - very interesting one on your going the self-publishing route - good on ya!<br />I adore kilts and the men who wear them and I love that joke!Jan Morrisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01771180344305042855noreply@blogger.com