How To Write 'The Bad Guys Close In' And Increase Tension In Your Novel

Usually, the second half of Act Two will either start from a good place during the Golden Time, or it will be a period of ambivalence and reflection, following a shift in the knowledge or perspective of the character following a rise of tension at the Midpoint. In most cases, the couple of chapters that follow the Midpoint are not the tensest, most upsetting in a novel. They are usually either happy or at least reflective after the tilt at the Midpoint.

Whatever your starting point during this phase, things will likely start to go wrong for the protagonist soon, whether pursuing a new relationship, investigating a crime, undertaking an epic quest, or meandering through a philosophical literary novel. Whatever kind of novel you are writing, always, always, however things are at the start of this phase, they are about to head downhill. This phase of increasing tension and risk is often referred to as the phase where ‘The Bad Guys Close In.’

What Does It Mean That The Bad Guys Close In?

The concept of ‘The Bad Guys Close In’ was popularized by the Save the Cat! series of writing guides. I think it is one of the best descriptions of what should happen in this phase of a novel, and that is why I am using it, although the term is not mine.

It is the point in the story where external forces progress and tighten their grip on the protagonist, and begin to force the breakdown of their plans, threatening the Quest, at the end of Act Two. This process takes hold and grows in importance during this phase.

Raising The Stakes

Once you get to The Bad Guys Close In, the sense of adventure and high–jinks in Fun And Games and the reflective calm or Golden Time joy following the Midpoint is gone. We are now in the ongoing process of raising the novel’s stakes. Although your central character can have victories and triumphs after this, once the Bad Guys Close In, your novel’s Quest will be moving towards its resolution. This will be achieved by conflict, drama and transformation.

The antagonistic force, whether a person, a group, a behavior or an emotion, always begins to apply pressure here, both more intensely and more successfully. Things start to go wrong for the protagonist. They have bad luck, or make mistakes or errors of judgement, or become subject to plots or actions over which they have no control. If they make a plan to stop things getting worse, they will (ultimately) fail.

This period tests the protagonist’s resolve, almost to breaking point, forcing them to confront their deepest fears and weaknesses. The phase usually ends in the Disaster, around 75% through the novel, where the protagonist and their plans are thrown into absolute disarray, followed by the Dark Night Of the Soul.

Why And How Do ‘The Bad Guys Close In’?

The purpose of all this is to do two things: firstly, to generally heighten emotional stakes and dramatic tension in the book, and secondly, to drive the protagonist to breaking point. It deepens the reader’s investment in the protagonist's journey by making real the imminence of its failure. This is extremely effective, whether the Midpoint has been dramatic and traumatic or followed by a blissful Golden Time.

By strategically maximizing the emotional impact of this phase, especially after a more light–hearted or myth–making Fun And Games, writers can tighten their compelling narrative arc ever further, so that it keeps readers on the edge of their seats, eager to see how the protagonist overcomes their increasingly serious obstacles.

This tension–filled section has to maintain momentum and set up the story’s climax, so two aspects are important here: making the pace and drama tick up as we move towards Denouement, and putting the protagonist under a threat which eventually seems about to overwhelm them.

And remember, your protagonist is now – literally or metaphorically – about to be knocked to the ground.

This is an excerpt from How To Write A Novel Chapter By Chapter available here: https://www.amazon.com/How-Write-Novel-Chapter-Outlining-ebook/dp/B0DJ8TMVWL?ref_=ast_author_mpb

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