Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
RELATED VIDEOS:
→Structure: youtube.com/watch?v=51G4Nd4s6vQ
→Character Development Techniques: youtube.com/watch?v=2_-p1cCbF9s&t=165s
→Tips for Discovery Writers: youtube.com/watch?v=IeXinm0kGcI&t=661s
→Tonal Logic: youtube.com/watch?v=s14EwGWmGAE&t=8s
→READ MY SHORT FICTION: https://linktr.ee/shaelinbishop
→If you want to support my channel, you can tip me on ko-fi! ko-fi.com/shaelinbishop
INTRO
Hi, I'm Shaelin! I'm a fiction writer and currently an MFA candidate in writing. I've also taught writing as a sessional instructor. I've been writing since childhood and completed over a dozen manuscripts, and am currently pursuing traditional publishing. I've also published over fifteen short stories, many of which you can read online. On this channel, I chronicle my writing journey, as well as chat about writing craft and technique! Everything I just chat about is just my personal writing philosophy, but I hope sharing it might inspire you!
**I do not use or promote any AI writing 'tools' or platforms - my writing process is 100% human and AI-free. Please do not contact me asking me to promote one.**
TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - why we're talking about tension today
2:23 - the lens I'm teaching craft from in this video
4:08 - what is tension?
5:45 - meaningful potential outcomes
8:06 - anticipation
9:49 - tip: use occasions
12:36 - risk and bargain (aka stakes!)
14:46 - information and ambiguity
17:31 - tip: authorial vs narrative tension
18:22 - interpretation (so where does ambiguity come in?)
19:13 - tip: share information, not meaning
19:56 - contrast
21:11 - surprise
21:52 - irony
22:49 - change and motion
25:11 - tip: use dialogue, not reflection to move story
26:31 - warning: don't protect your characters!
31:02 - types of tension
35:44 - exercise: maximizing tension
OUTRO MUSIC: "l u v t e a [acoustic]" by Autumn Keys
SOCIAL
Twitter: twitter.com/shaelinbishop
Instagram: instagram.com/shaelinbishop
Goodreads: goodreads.com/user/show/5803057-shaelin-bishop
RELATED VIDEOS:
→Structure: youtube.com/watch?v=51G4Nd4s6vQ
→Character Development Techniques: youtube.com/watch?v=2_-p1cCbF9s&t=165s
→Tips for Discovery Writers: youtube.com/watch?v=IeXinm0kGcI&t=661s
→Tonal Logic: youtube.com/watch?v=s14EwGWmGAE&t=8s
→READ MY SHORT FICTION: https://linktr.ee/shaelinbishop
→If you want to support my channel, you can tip me on ko-fi! ko-fi.com/shaelinbishop
INTRO
Hi, I'm Shaelin! I'm a fiction writer and currently an MFA candidate in writing. I've also taught writing as a sessional instructor. I've been writing since childhood and completed over a dozen manuscripts, and am currently pursuing traditional publishing. I've also published over fifteen short stories, many of which you can read online. On this channel, I chronicle my writing journey, as well as chat about writing craft and technique! Everything I just chat about is just my personal writing philosophy, but I hope sharing it might inspire you!
**I do not use or promote any AI writing 'tools' or platforms - my writing process is 100% human and AI-free. Please do not contact me asking me to promote one.**
TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - why we're talking about tension today
2:23 - the lens I'm teaching craft from in this video
4:08 - what is tension?
5:45 - meaningful potential outcomes
8:06 - anticipation
9:49 - tip: use occasions
12:36 - risk and bargain (aka stakes!)
14:46 - information and ambiguity
17:31 - tip: authorial vs narrative tension
18:22 - interpretation (so where does ambiguity come in?)
19:13 - tip: share information, not meaning
19:56 - contrast
21:11 - surprise
21:52 - irony
22:49 - change and motion
25:11 - tip: use dialogue, not reflection to move story
26:31 - warning: don't protect your characters!
31:02 - types of tension
35:44 - exercise: maximizing tension
OUTRO MUSIC: "l u v t e a [acoustic]" by Autumn Keys
SOCIAL
Twitter: twitter.com/shaelinbishop
Instagram: instagram.com/shaelinbishop
Goodreads: goodreads.com/user/show/5803057-shaelin-bishop
