Make Them Suffer (and other Writing Craft Tips)

What makes a story impossible to put down? It usually starts with one uncomfortable truth: You have to make your characters suffer. In this episode of the Wordslinger 10-Shot, I dig into several practical writing craft principles that can help you create stronger characters, sharper scenes, more natural dialogue, and stories that keep readers turning pages. We’ll talk about why change is the engine of story, how consequences create momentum, why “and then” can quietly kill your plot, and how to build tension without exhausting your reader. I’ll also explore dialogue as a form of action, the value of leaving some questions unanswered, and how to recognize when a story is truly finished. Whether you’re writing your first novel or your fiftieth, these are the kinds of craft fundamentals that can help you tell more compelling stories. What writing craft topic would you like me to cover next? Leave your question in the comments. I may turn it into a future episode.   TIMECODES 00:00 – Why writers should talk more about craft 01:44 – Why your characters need to suffer 03:36 – Suffering doesn’t have to mean physical danger 07:38 – Every scene must create change 10:13 – Creating discomfort and escalating tension 10:54 – “And then” versus “because” storytelling 12:18 – Giving readers moments of hope and relief 14:31 – Why everything in a story must serve a purpose 18:11 – Building tension in peaks and valleys 18:55 – Understanding three-act structure 21:30 – Change as the purpose of scenes 23:20 – Dialogue as action, not exposition 27:37 – Why explanatory dialogue stops a story cold 29:32 – Suspense as the distance between knowledge and action 30:52 – How to know when your story is over 34:03 – Leaving some questions unanswered 37:30 – Using A, B, and C plots across a series 40:17 – Why craft remains a writer’s primary tool   Subscribe to the channel for practical, honest guidance on writing, publishing, marketing, and building a sustainable creative career. Whether you’re just getting started or working toward your next breakthrough, this is the place to find useful advice for every stage of your writing and publishing journey. Visit the Wordslinger Podcast: https://wordslingerpodcast.com Improve your writing with ProWritingAid: https://tidd.ly/3NCdlk5 Publish and distribute your books with Draft2Digital: https://draft2digital.com/wordslinger Get professional support for your author career with AuthorAnchor: https://authoranchor.com Find Kevin and his books: https://kevintumlinson.com Join Kevin on Substack: https://kevintumlinson.substack.com #WritingCraft #WritingTips #Authors #CreativeWriting #Storytelling #IndieAuthors #WritingAdvice #NovelWriting #CharacterDevelopment #WordslingerPodcast Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.