Novel Kicks Writing Room: The Moment Before

Today, we are going to be working on an exercise called ‘the moment before.’ 

We want to aim to develop tension, anticipation, and character depth by exploring the critical moment immediately before a life-changing event.

Write a scene set in the moment immediately before something significant happens to your character. This could be before an interview, a confrontation, a departure, a confession, a performance, a decision, or any pivotal moment. The reader should feel the weight of what’s about to unfold without the event itself occurring.

To make this a little more challenging –

Your scene must be between 500-800 words

Include at least one moment of sensory detail (sight, sound, smell, touch, or taste)

Reveal your character’s emotional state through both internal thought and external action (body language, fidgeting, dialogue)

Do not show the actual event happening—end just before the moment arrives

The final line should heighten tension or suggest the magnitude of what’s about to occur

Other things to consider –

What is your character about to do or face?

What are they afraid might happen?

What small, mundane details surround this momentous occasion?

How does your character typically cope with anxiety or anticipation?

What would change their mind at the last second?

Have fun.

by

Laura

I'm Laura. I started Novel Kicks back in 2009 as I wanted a place to discuss books and writing - two loves of my life. As someone who has anxiety, these two things give me, and I am sure countless others, a much needed escape.
There is a monthly book club, writing exercises, prompts, reviews, author interviews, competitions and guest posts. I cover many genres and I hope there is something for everyone.
I grew up by the sea in Dorset and currently live in Poole with my husband, Chris and three cats. I love writing and have a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing from Falmouth University. I am writing my first book. If only I could stop pressing delete. Chris has threatened to stop it from working. Haha.
I have always loved creative writing since I was in first school and would very much like to meet my teacher, Miss Sayers, to say thank you for all the encouragement she gave me then.
When not writing, I love reading, cats, Disney, singing (I can't sing but this doesn't stop me,) and falling into a good TV show or film. If I could step into any fictional world, it would be amongst the characters in ABC's Once Upon a Time.
I love reading many genres and discovering new authors.