Carla Damron | Writers.com https://writers.com/instructor/carla-damron Your voice is a gift. Share it. Thu, 08 Jan 2026 11:25:12 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3 Tightening the Screws: How to Build Tension in Fiction https://writers.com/course/tightening-the-screws-how-to-build-tension-in-fiction Tue, 28 Jan 2025 20:59:12 +0000 https://writers.com/?post_type=product&p=28799 Hook your readers! Discover what tension is and how it works to keep readers emotionally invested, and write four tension-filled scenes from a new or existing project.

The post Tightening the Screws: How to Build Tension in Fiction appeared first on Writers.com.

]]> In fiction, tension is what keeps readers hooked to your stories. It’s that feeling of anticipation, curiosity, or dread that makes someone keep turning pages. Whether it’s bubbling up inside your characters, sparking between two people (hello, unresolved sexual tension!), or clashing with some outside force—tension brings stories to life.

In this course, we’ll break down what tension is, how it works, and how to use it to get your readers emotionally invested. We’ll talk about everything from the small, subtle moments to big, dramatic conflicts—and how to make them all work for your story.

Each week, you will write or revise a tension-filled scene from a new or existing project, and receive feedback and encouragement from me and your classmates. 

Who Is This Course For

If you want to make your short stories, novels, or other fiction stories more gripping, this course is for you. Whether you’re just starting out or already working on your tenth project, we’ll all work together to help you level up your writing.

Learning and Writing Goals

Learning Goals

In this course, students will:

  • Understand how tension—internal and external—can drive a story forward.
  • Explore the ways pacing and tension affect the reader and shapes the reading experience.
  • Use micro-tension to make any scene more engaging and add depth to characters.
  • Dig deeper into characters’ motivation and conflicts to raise the stakes.
  • Share scenes and critique each other’s work with the goal of intensifying tension.

Writing Goals

  • Write or revise four scenes from a new or existing project that build tension and increase reader engagement. 
  • Develop the skills and tools you need to build tension-driven scenes in future writing projects.

Zoom Schedule

This course will meet over Zoom in four ninety-minutes sessions, to take place Monday evenings, 6:30 PM Eastern Time, beginning November 17th. Individual Zoom consultations with instructor are available as requested.

Weekly Syllabus

Week One: The Anatomy of Tension

During the first class we’ll define tension and analyze passages from literature that masterfully illustrate how tension moves story. Internal vs external sources of tension will be explored. You’ll will be given a prompt to develop a scene that demonstrates these sources.

Week Two: Characters on the Edge

Tension starts with characters who really want something—and have a lot to lose. We’ll dive into your characters’ goals and explore how dialogue, body language, and even contradictions can show tension. You’ll write a dialogue scene and experiment with different ways to build the pressure.

Week Three: Micro-tension and Emotional Depth 

Tension isn’t just about big action—it’s in the little moments, too. We’ll explore how conflicting emotions within a character can add complexity and keep readers hooked. You’ll share a short scene (from your current project or something new), and we’ll work together to make it even stronger.

Week Four: Pacing, Setting, and Endings That Hook

The speed of your story and the mood of your scenes can make or break the tension. We’ll talk about how to use setting to heighten the stakes, and end chapters in a way that keeps readers wanting more.

Tightening the Screws: How to Build Tension in Fiction
Notify me when this course is scheduled

The post Tightening the Screws: How to Build Tension in Fiction appeared first on Writers.com.

]]> The Checklist: Perfect Your Novel’s Opening Pages https://writers.com/course/the-checklist-perfect-your-novels-opening-pages Fri, 19 Jul 2024 10:30:09 +0000 https://writers.com/?post_type=product&p=22432 Nail your opening pages! Apply the 11 core elements your novel opening must get right, and hook readers and agents into your story.

The post The Checklist: Perfect Your Novel’s Opening Pages appeared first on Writers.com.

]]> The opening pages of your novel are a portal and a promise. We want your readers to open the door, step through, and immerse themselves in the rest of your story. To achieve this, we’ll go through a checklist of the eleven core elements that must harmonize in your opening pages—from a distinctive, compelling voice to a high-stakes narrative that will grip readers.

So much needs to happen in those crucial opening words, and you have so little space to do it. But it can be done. With our checklist as a guide, you’ll share your first five(ish) pages and explore ways to strengthen them. Using a workshop format for constructive feedback and collective brainstorming, we’ll focus on analyzing the strengths and challenges in our work. We’ll ask questions such as: does the premise grab the reader? Can we make the stakes clear? Are the characters authentic?

When we apply what we’ve learned about our first five pages to the rest of the novel, we’ll have a tighter, stronger, more riveting manuscript. We’ll help each other create the best opening possible for our novels—because they deserve every chance to be read and savored.

Who This Course is For:

This workshop is for anyone who is working on a novel and wants to get it ready for submission (novel doesn’t need to be completed, but it’s best if you’re at least half-way done and/or have a completed synopsis or outline.) Whether it’s your first project or tenth—let’s work together to get it in shape. 

Learning and Writing Goals

Learning Goals

In this course, you will learn:

  • What makes an effective opening—what drives the reader to keep reading? (And what doesn’t.)
  • What to include, what not to include. Are there info dumps? Is POV consistent? Does prose flow in a natural, organic way? Etc.
  • The Checklist: You will receive a checklist of elements needed in an effective, engaging first five pages.

Writing Goals

In this course, you will:

  • Write and submit a synopsis of your work-in-progress. We’ll use this to determine if your opening pages are accomplishing what you want.
  • Share at least two versions of your opening pages with the group. In workshop format we will critique our pages, with clear, helpful feedback given by me and other students.

Zoom Schedule

We will meet over Zoom weekly in four ninety-minutes sessions, starting Wednesday, February 11th at 6 PM Eastern. Individual Zoom consultations with instructor are available as requested.

Weekly Syllabus

Week One: See what they did there?

We’ll examine opening pages of some highly successful novels and analyze what worked—what was it that drove the reader to keep reading? Synopsis review of projects.

Week Two: Who? Why?

You will submit a draft of your first five pages. We’ll discuss character and stakes, reviewing drafts and exploring ways to enhance these elements. The First Five Checklist will be provided and discussed.

Week Three: Where are we? When is this?

We’ll focus on orienting the reader to time/place, enhancing voice, and analyzing flow of prose. Participants will have rewritten openings, using feedback given. We’ll offer more intensive analysis and honing on micro level. What else do we need to do to make these pages SOAR?

Week Four: Are we ready to submit?  

In this final session, we’ll finish up our revisions, read aloud the final versions, and discuss next steps in preparing our work for submission. (Secret hint: How can we use the checklist to strengthen the rest of the novel??)

Why Take a Novel Writing Course with Writers.com?

  • We welcome writers of all backgrounds and experience levels, and we are here for one reason: to support you on your writing journey.
  • Small groups keep our online writing courses lively and intimate.
  • Work through your weekly lectures, course materials, and writing assignments at your own pace.
  • Share and discuss your work with fellow writers in a supportive course environment.
  • Award-winning instructor Carla Damron will offer you direct, personal feedback and suggestions on every assignment you submit.

 

Click the Enroll Now button below, enter your details on the Checkout page,
and reserve your spot in the course.

Original price was: $345.00.Current price is: $295.00.Enroll Now

The post The Checklist: Perfect Your Novel’s Opening Pages appeared first on Writers.com.

]]>