In this month’s “Ask the Coach” article, I’m addressing two similar but separate questions from readers about building to a climax and keeping a story moving with help from guest expert Jeff Howard.
Question 1: How do I build tension toward a climax using structure and pacing?
Question 2: How do I combine actions with dialogue to keep the story moving?
Here are the recommendations Jeff discusses for building tension using structure and pacing, then about using dialogue to keep a story moving.
- Tighten pacing with a shorter “second half.”
- Design tension with your outline.
- Earn your climax with your second act.
- Use dialogue as “frosting” on the cake of your script.
…if you want to build to an exciting climax, you’ve got to mirror it with the first act and you’ve got to plan how to get there.
— Jeff Howard
Want the full scoop? Get all the details in the full article on Script Mag:
If you’ve got writing questions, please send them my way!
I’d love to answer them for you in my column.
I’d love to answer them for you in my column.
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