The Last Handshake: Episode 6 Principle 6: Tension

Summary

The author, Tim Maudlin, shares the sixth principle of storytelling, tension, through a personal experience with a dying friend, Jim, and the anxiety he felt during their final encounter.

Abstract

In "The Last Handshake: Episode 6 Principle 6: Tension," Tim Maudlin discusses the importance of tension in storytelling. He recounts his last visit to his dying friend, Jim, and the anxiety he felt leading up to the encounter. Maudlin emphasizes the significance of building tension in stories to create worry and anxiety in readers, making it difficult for them to relax until relief is provided. He shares his nervousness during the visit and the importance of saying the right thing to encourage someone he cared about. The story concludes with a cliffhanger, as Jim does something unexpected, setting the stage for the next episode, "Principle 7: Hero Saves the Day."

Opinions

The author believes that tension is a crucial element in storytelling, as it creates feelings of worry and anxiety in readers.
Maudlin highlights the importance of saying the right thing to encourage someone in a difficult situation.
The author emphasizes the significance of providing relief after building tension in a story.
Maudlin shares his personal experience with a dying friend, Jim, to illustrate the concept of tension in storytelling.
The story is part of a series called "The Last Handshake: A story about stories," where Maudlin explores seven principles of storytelling.
The author concludes the episode with a cliffhanger, leaving readers eager to find out what happens next.
Maudlin offers a complimentary template, the ACRONYM template, to readers who fill out a form on his website.

Episode 6

Principle 6: Tension Building tension into your stories will cause feelings of worry and anxiety. And make it difficult for your reader to relax until you provide the relief.

I knew this would be the last chance I would see Jim.

For the 30-minute drive to Jim’s house, my head was full of questions. What will I say? Have I waited too long? Will Jim know me or even know I’m there?

The family had arranged to have a hospital bed in the living room. That’s where Jim was. I could tell he was in pretty bad shape because he didn’t get up. Fortunately, he was awake and Dorothy told him we were there.

To say I was nervous, would be an understatement. I was a nervous wreck! It was obvious this would be the last time I ever spoke to Jim and I desperately wanted to say the right thing.

Have you ever been in a situation where you wanted to say something to encourage someone you cared about but you weren’t sure what to say? That was me.

The first part of our visit is still a blur. I don’t remember exactly what I said but I managed to tell Jim how much he had encouraged me and how I wanted my boys there to hear it.

Seeing the condition he was in, I realized Jim would never be able to wear the T-shirt I brought for him. Before I went to see him, I was hoping he might be able to wear it for whatever time he had left. But it was obvious that wasn’t going to happen.

It almost seemed pointless to give him something like this now but I went ahead and I told him about the T-shirt and then handed it to Dorothy.

What happened next is something I will cherish for the rest of my life.

Coming next: Principle 7, Hero Saves the Day I had just given Dorothy the T-shirt when Jim did the most amazing thing. The one thing he was still capable of doing.

Can I send you something? Keep reading to learn more.

I’m Author, Storyteller, and Template Architect, Tim Maudlin. This story about stories was brought to you by the ACRONYM template.

To get your complimentary template, please fill out the form below.

This article was originally published on my website at DoWhatYouCanNow.com

The Last Handshake: Episode 6 Principle 6: Tension

A story about stories

Stories, the tapestry of our lives.

Episode 6

The Last Handshake: Episode 7 Principle 7: Hero Saves the Day

A story about stories

This story is published in a Few Words, Medium’s publication that only accepts stories under 500 words.

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