Microtension in Fiction by Degrees

Over these past posts on microtension, we’ve looked at many ways to create contradictions and incongruencies in our prose to...
The post Microtension in Fiction by Degrees appeared first on C. S. Lakin.
https://www.livewritethrive.com/2026/04/11/microtension-in-fiction-by-degrees/

#Fiction #NovelStructure #microtension

Using Contradictions to Create Microtension – Part 6

One of the most powerful ways to create microtension is through contradictions between a character’s internal state and the setting...
The post Using Contradictions to Create Microtension – Part 6 appeared first on C. S. Lakin.
https://www.livewritethrive.com/2026/03/10/using-contradictions-to-create-microtension-part-6/

#Fiction #NailingSceneStructure #NovelStructure #microtension #setting

Using Contradictions to Create Microtension – Part 5

We’ve been looking at how to craft powerful mictotension (a must in fiction!) in these last few posts. In this...
The post Using Contradictions to Create Microtension – Part 5 appeared first on C. S. Lakin.
https://www.livewritethrive.com/2026/03/06/33567/

#Fiction #NovelStructure #Backstory #microtension

Using Contradictions to Create Masterful Microtension – Part 4

When writers think about tension in action, they often focus on movement—what physically happens in a scene. That can create...
The post Using Contradictions to Create Masterful Microtension – Part 4 appeared first on C. S. Lakin.
https://www.livewritethrive.com/2026/03/02/using-contradictions-to-create-masterful-microtension-part-4/

#Fiction #NovelStructure #microtension

Using Contradictions to Create Masterful Microtension – Part 3

We’re continuing our look at how to use contradictions to create masterful microtension in our fiction. In this post, we’ll...
The post Using Contradictions to Create Masterful Microtension – Part 3 appeared first on C. S. Lakin.
https://www.livewritethrive.com/2026/02/23/using-contradictions-to-create-masterful-microtension-part-3/

#Fiction #NovelStructure #microtension

Using Contradictions to Create Masterful Microtension – Part 2

We’re continuing our look at microtension in fiction and how to use contradictions to craft it masterfully (click here to...
The post Using Contradictions to Create Masterful Microtension – Part 2 appeared first on C. S. Lakin.
https://www.livewritethrive.com/2026/02/16/using-contradictions-to-create-masterful-microtension-part-2/

#Fiction #NovelStructure #microtension

Using Contradictions to Create Masterful Microtension

I can’t say this enough: masterful microtension in fiction, on every page, is what turns a good novel (or short...
The post Using Contradictions to Create Masterful Microtension appeared first on C. S. Lakin.
https://www.livewritethrive.com/2026/02/10/using-contradictions-to-create-masterful-microtension/

#Fiction #NovelStructure #microtension

8 Tips for Masterful Scene Revision

Scene revision is the most important process of taking a manuscript from good to great. It’s the moment when a...
The post 8 Tips for Masterful Scene Revision appeared first on C. S. Lakin.
https://www.livewritethrive.com/2025/12/29/8-tips-for-masterful-scene-revision/

#Fiction #NailingSceneStructure #NovelStructure #Revisions

Microtension – A MUST in Your Fiction

Microtension. What is it? Just what the word implies: tension in story on a micro or small level. The word...
The post Microtension – A MUST in Your Fiction appeared first on C. S. Lakin.
https://www.livewritethrive.com/2025/11/17/microtension-a-must-in-your-fiction/

#Fiction #NovelStructure #microtension

Insights into the Shape of a Scene

Novels are made up of scenes—obviously. Like a string of pearls on a necklace, each scene must be complete, presenting...
The post Insights into the Shape of a Scene appeared first on C. S. Lakin.
https://www.livewritethrive.com/2025/11/12/insights-into-the-shape-of-a-scene/

#Fiction #NailingSceneStructure #NovelStructure #anchorpoints #Beats