Crafting tension-filled scenes is a delicate dance for any writer. It requires a balance between keeping readers on the edge of their seats while ensuring the story remains believable and still palatable. Navigating the unpleasant aspects of these scenes is an art form that can elevate your writing to new heights or condemn it from the get-go. Writing uncomfortable scenes is often a necessary evil, but it can be done wrong.
I want to start this article by saying that while I hate looking down on another writer’s work, I also find it easiest to foster understanding by wading through familiar situations. So I’ll just come out and say it: that whole thing with Jacob and Renesmee was weird, right? Personally, I wasn’t a fan of Twilight back in the day. My vampire-loving self instead preferred stories like those found in Buffy (there’s a link here in case you want to dig into the problematic themes in this series) and Morganville Vampires (rest in peace Rachel Caine), but I recently watched the first two movies after the Meta algorithm served me meme after hilarious meme. I laughed through the first movie and fidgeted uncomfortably through the second, but that brief stint in Twilight media brought me to the wonderful world of Jacob and Record Player memes. (IYKYK) (I promise I’ll chill on the parentheses soon, just bear with me.)
I’ve learned that the fandom is rather uncomfortable with the tense situation, and CBR does a great job of outlining where those problems stem from. From the totally unscientifically sourced chatter I’ve discovered on those silly interwebs memes, much of the problem lies in the way the story was written. Stephenie Meyer could have gone a very different direction with the story, or wrote her way out of the situation. She didn’t, of course, which brings us to the topic you’re here to explore: is there a way to gracefully go about writing uncomfortable scenes?
In this article, we will:
- Delve into the strategies and techniques that can help you master the art of writing disturbing scenes and stories
- Navigate the complicated nature of writing uncomfortable scenes that explore sensitive topics
- Write your way out of potentially yikesy situations your characters can’t help but get involved in
Whether you’re a thriller writer looking to keep readers guessing or a sci-fi novelist aiming to create heart-pounding moments, this guide will provide you with the tools you need to keep your audience captivated while maintaining a lingering grace that propels your story forward and helps it stay afloat in the era of cancel culture.
Get ready to take your storytelling to the next level as we unlock the secrets of writing uncomfortable scenes that border on or embrace taboo, sensitive, and unexpected topics.
The importance of complicated scenes in literature
Tension-filled scenes play a vital role in various genres, including thrillers, mysteries, and even romance novels. These scenes keep readers hooked, eagerly turning pages to discover what happens next. They create a sense of anticipation and excitement, making the story more immersive and memorable.
In psychological thrillers, science fiction, and horror, tension-filled scenes are the lifeblood of the narrative. They keep readers guessing, constantly on edge, and eager to unravel the mystery. These scenes heighten the stakes, making the protagonist’s journey more perilous and captivating.
Even in romance novels, writing uncomfortable scenes can add depth and complexity to the relationships between characters. They create obstacles and challenges that must be overcome, intensifying the emotional connection between the protagonists and your readers. When done right, these scenes can make readers root for the characters and invest emotionally in their journey.
Balancing tension and situations with character development
One thing about me as a career writer is that I don’t believe in a niche genre, per se. Many authors will stick to romance, for example, or fantasy, perhaps. As a content marketer, copywriter, and communications professional, I could find myself writing about a meat market in the morning, home improvement around lunch, and fitness at the end of the day. What makes that diversity possible for me is that I bring passion to every project I pursue. It’s okay to be a bit fluid in your genres, to write for an adult audience in one book and a young adult audience in another, and to experiment with different writing styles.
What I do recommend, however, is finding your niche thing. My “thing” when it comes to novel writing is that I love to explore all things effed up. Why is that, you ask? It’s because I, as a reader, find that disturbing stories are the ones that dwell on my mind, that refuse to free my thoughts from their haunting grasp. I have two tattoos that immortalize my love of A Series of Unfortunate Events. I read the books as they were coming out in the early 2000s, and as an adult, I still think about them. I’ve been chasing that same kind of high ever since. As I mentioned before, these uncomfortable scenes led me as a reader to emotionally invest in the series.
On the other hand, I’ve also read books that made me too uncomfortable to continue. One of the things I’ve found as a major turnoff, or an ick, if you will, is when the characters do not grow from the uncomfortable situation or face any sort of ramifications from their actions.
Ultimately, one of the most crucial elements to consider when writing tension-filled scenes is how to balance the discomfort of the situation with the development of your characters. It is essential to ensure that the tension and uncomfortable situations your characters face serve a purpose in their overall growth and story arc.
To achieve this balance, start by understanding your characters’ motivations, fears, and desires. By delving deep into their psyche, you can create tension that is rooted in their personal struggles. This will make the scenes more authentic and relatable for readers. If you haven’t yet perfected the art of understanding your characters at this depth, my article on creating character analyses and webs is one you’ll want to explore.
In addition to understanding your characters, it is important to show the emotional impact these uncomfortable situations have on them. Allow them to react and evolve based on their experiences, showcasing their resilience, vulnerability, and growth. By intertwining character development with tension-filled scenes, you can create a more engaging and impactful story.
Creating believable conflict and obstacles while writing uncomfortable scenes
When crafting tension-filled scenes, it is crucial to create conflict and obstacles that are believable and grounded in the story’s context. Complex and uncomfortable situations can add depth and intrigue to the narrative, but they must be handled with care. You as the writer must be prepared to navigate the complicated nature of uncomfortable topics, and a bulk of that naturally shines through when you craft believable situations complete with obstacles, emotional responses, and realistic outcomes.
To create believable conflict, consider the motivations and backgrounds of your characters. Each character should have a distinct set of beliefs, values, and goals that may clash with others. By exploring these differences, you can create tension and conflict that feels authentic and compelling. Again, I’ll refer you back to my suggestion of creating a character web. This tool is a visual representation of how your characters’ goals are supported or impeded by other players in the story. You can get creative and change your web – it can be about how the characters respond to different situations, how they emotionally feel if they were to/when they find out about the situation, or anything else. Map it out, baby. It’s worth it.
As an aside, I like to use glittery gel pens for my character webs. Adds some pizazz, you know?
Anyway.
Think about external factors that can contribute to the tension. These can include societal pressures, moral dilemmas, or even supernatural elements. By incorporating these elements into the story, you can raise the stakes and create obstacles that challenge your characters in meaningful ways.
It doesn’t have to be believable in real life. It just has to be believable in the context of your story and the world you’ve built within it.
What to do when your storyline wades into sensitive territory
Inevitably, there may come a point in your writing when a storyline becomes uncomfortable. It could be due to sensitive subject matter, taboo relationships, or controversial themes. When faced with these situations, it is essential to approach them with sensitivity and respect.
One approach is to address the discomfort head-on within the narrative. By acknowledging the potential discomfort and exploring it through the characters’ perspectives, you can create a space for open dialogue and understanding. This can help readers navigate the uncomfortable aspects and find meaning within the story.
Alternatively, you can choose to shift the focus away from the uncomfortable elements and instead emphasize the growth and development of the characters. By highlighting their resilience and ability to overcome challenges, you can steer the narrative towards a more positive and empowering direction.
In Industrialized, Part One: Experiment, I do a bit of both, but more of the former. My main character’s circle reacts differently to her taboo relationship – her best friend naturally tells her she’s dumb, her mother tells her she’s setting herself up to be a victim, and Prince Frazer offers an eloquent, “Oh. Ew.” We get to see her struggle with rationalizing the relationship and other experiences as she’s getting to know herself.
Its sequel, Part Two: Execution, focuses more on growth and development. My main character, who was naively confident in the first book, must now accept that she has been hurt, and that it could happen again. While the first book largely explored a situation that happened to her, the second explores the empowerment she finds in stepping up and seeing the mess she created to its conclusion.
Does it unwrite all the messed up stuff that happened in the first book? Well, no. But it does allow her to find her voice amidst the turmoil, and she is ultimately able to hold herself and her social circle accountable for everything that happens. She’ll never shed the experiences from her psyche, but this response allows her to find some semblance of peace and move forward.
The role of reader anticipation and expectation when writing uncomfortable scenes
Reader anticipation and expectation should play a significant role in crafting tension-filled scenes and stories. While I always recommend that authors write for themselves first and foremost, your reader (the conceptual end-user) should be kept in mind along the way. When readers have invested in the story and its characters, they naturally develop certain expectations. As a writer, it is essential to harness these expectations and use them to your advantage.
To create anticipation, consider using foreshadowing and subtle hints throughout the story. Plant seeds of tension early on, gradually building up to the climactic scenes. This will keep readers engaged and eager to discover how the tension unfolds.
Additionally, subverting expectations can be a powerful tool in creating tension. By deviating from the predicted outcome, you can catch readers off guard and intensify the emotional impact of the scene. However, it is important to strike a balance between surprising readers and maintaining believability within the story’s context.
I will be the first to admit that I sometimes lean into cliches in my writing. No idea is fully original after thousands of years of human thought, but I like to think that putting your own professional spin on common tropes can elevate the story in a magical way.
Mexican Gothic is a book that’s been on my mind since it came out. I found it fascinating, even though it uses common horror tropes and ends with a startlingly familiar the bad thing might still be lurking in the distance-type of ending. A well-off young woman goes into the haunted mansion on the mountaintop and finds herself in a nightmare… we all know that story. But Silvia Moreno-Garcia does an excellent job of subverting expectations throughout the story. I won’t mention any spoilers, but the twist was so bizarre. That subversion of expectations paired with subtle hints throughout the story made it linger on best seller lists for several weeks.
Asking your beta readers the big questions
So you’ve written a book with some uncomfy moments, or you’re about to write one that wades into dark subject matter. I once wrote a scene in a book I’ll likely never release where a character gets her ear ripped off, and our main character describes the ripping of skin as being visually similar to ripping apart particularly unappetizing string cheese. A few scenes later, she goes to eat a mozzarella stick and her stomach churns. That grossed me out to write, but it was hilarious. My beta readers all uncomfortably laughed through the scene, too.
Many conceptual scenes are likely bouncing around in your mind right now, and they’re likely more controversial or taboo than that. When dealing with uncomfortable or sensitive subjects, it can be helpful to seek feedback from beta readers. Your readers can provide valuable insights and perspectives that can help you navigate the complexities of tension-filled scenes, ultimately helping you decide if the book requires another round of tweaking or if your direction should be shifted.
Ask your beta readers specific questions regarding the uncomfortable aspects of your story. Are the scenes handled with sensitivity? Do they contribute to the overall narrative and character development? Are there any potential concerns or areas that need improvement? Would the story still work if I removed the scene in question?
By actively seeking feedback and engaging in open dialogue, you can ensure that your writing remains respectful and impactful. Remember, beta readers can offer fresh perspectives that may shed light on blind spots or potential pitfalls in your storytelling. Their feedback can also tell you if your story goes too far.
One thing I wanted to dig into in Industrialized is the main character’s objectification as a woman and her abuse at the hands of men in powerful positions. She’s told that she doesn’t belong in certain places of business, that she shouldn’t read books. I admittedly pushed it a step further – there is a sexual assault scene. It doesn’t go beyond nonconsensual over-the-clothes touching and kissing, but it’s absolutely traumatizing to the main character. I toyed around with removing the scene, as I know many literary agents actively avoid those types of stories and many readers do, too. When I narrated the audiobook, this scene (and other scenes) were painful to read out loud.
But that’s the point of the story. Here’s the thing – the two main themes of the book explore how the pursuit of profit leads one wealthy corporation to commit unspeakable crimes and the struggle human beings face when their autonomy and rights are stripped away. As I was wrapping up the story’s final draft, Roe v. Wade was overturned. Every step of the way, we see the struggle the main character faces without that right of autonomy.
When I asked my beta readers about that scene, the answer was obvious – it should stay in. Could I tell the story without it? Yeah, probably. But I’d lose that jarring theme of powerful political figures stripping rights away from less privileged parties. We’d lose some parallels between the supposed “good guys” and the “bad guys.” We’d lose the theme of governments – and aspiring political figures, for that matter – challenging consent, especially in terms of sexuality and reproductive health.
In removing that scene, I’d lose a parallel to the current world in which the story was crafted and written. My readers saw that parallel, and they saw the themes that turned one bold and intelligent woman into a victim.
Talk to your readers. Ask them the questions that make you vulnerable as an author. It’ll make you a better storyteller.
Conclusion: Mastering the art of writing uncomfortable scenes
Writing uncomfortable scenes can be challenging, especially when dealing with sensitive subject matter. However, by balancing tension and character development, creating believable conflict, considering reader anticipation, and talking to your group of test readers, you can master this art form.
And telling dark, haunting, and lingering stories is an art form, by the way.
Writing uncomfortable scenes should be a thoughtful process that respects the complexity of the subject matter and the experiences of your characters. By approaching taboo situations with sensitivity and purpose, you can create engaging stories that resonate with and haunt readers.
So, in conclusion, embrace the discomfort, navigate the awkwardness, and unlock the power of writing uncomfortable scenes that will ultimately captivate your audience. With practice and perseverance, you can elevate your writing to new heights and create stories that leave a lasting impact.
Without practice and perseverance, you’ll bump into situations like this:
that whole thing with Jacob and Renesmee was weird, right?
Break the cycle, fellow writer. Explore that weird idea. Make it horrifying. But do it with grace and intention, and you’ll have a lasting story in no time. Get out there and dive into writing uncomfortable scenes. You’re putting art into the world.