How to Create Tension in a Single Character Scene

I’m sure you can imagine all kinds of ways a two or more character scene can have tension. But what about a scene with only one character in it? Impossible? Not so. Important? You betcha.

If your character is alone in a scene, (which should be rarely, by the way,) he’d better be going through some major inner turmoil. He’s frustrated because he can’t solve the mystery. He’s worn out from all the events he’s been through thus far and doesn’t see an end to any of it.

If your character is in a car, traveling to another scene, use this opportunity for him to reflect on past events. Maybe something he sees along the way triggers a bad memory. Or a familiar song comes on the radio and tosses him into the past (not literally). Make this scene do double duty. Don’t bore the reader by forcing her to watch as Dude drives from point A to point B.

You shouldn’t put your characters to bed, unless you’re going to torture them. If your character can’t sleep because he’s haunted by the day’s events or worried about the heroine, by all means show us his grueling thoughts and emotions. Or maybe he rolls over and smells his missing wife’s perfume on her pillow, causing him to worry all the more. What ever you do, don’t just have him go to sleep. Think: How can I add tension to this scene?

Tension and conflict are two crucial elements in your story that will force the reader to read on.

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Can you think of other ways to add tension to a single character scene?