How can tension be created in a story?

Creating tension in a story primarily revolves around establishing a central conflict. When there is a clear conflict, it generates stakes for the characters, which engages the reader's emotions and draws them into the narrative. This conflict can take various forms, such as a struggle between characters, internal dilemmas within a character, or even conflicts with larger forces like society or nature.

With a well-defined central conflict, the reader becomes invested in the outcome, wondering how it will be resolved and what challenges the characters will face along the way. As the conflict intensifies, it propels the plot forward, creating suspense and heightening emotional responses. This mechanism is essential in storytelling because it paves the way for character development and thematic exploration, making the reader eager to turn the pages to find out what happens next.