The Chase in Storytelling: How to Keep Readers Glued to the Page
Hello, fellow fiction writers.
Every writer wants the same magical reaction from readers: “I couldn’t put it down.”
That’s the dream, right? But what actually makes a story so gripping that readers ignore texts, skip lunch, and stay up until 2 a.m.? It’s not just plot twists or pretty prose. It’s the chase—that constant sense of movement, pressure, and urgency that keeps your characters (and your readers) on edge.
Whether you’re writing romance, horror, sci-fi, or literary fiction, every story needs a chase. It’s not always a literal footrace—it’s the pursuit of something that matters so deeply to your protagonist that we must see how it ends.
🎯 What We Really Mean by “The Chase”
Let’s be clear: “the chase” doesn’t have to involve speeding cars, laser fights, or people sprinting through dark alleys (though those are fun). It’s the engine of tension that drives your story forward—the emotional momentum that makes readers say, “Just one more chapter…”
In craft terms, it’s what thriller writers call suspense, romance writers call emotional tension, and literary writers might call narrative drive.
But whatever you call it, it’s the same heartbeat that keeps readers hooked.
🧠 The Psychology Behind It
Humans are wired to crave resolution. When we see someone struggling toward a goal—escaping danger, winning love, uncovering a secret—we feel that pull too. It’s called the Zeigarnik effect: the brain hates unfinished business.
Your story’s chase plays right into that. The moment your reader feels anxiety, curiosity, or anticipation, they’re locked in. They need to know what happens next.
🚀 Examples of “The Chase” in Different GenresThriller: The obvious one. The hero’s racing to stop a bomb before it explodes. Classic chase.
Example: Jason Bourne trying to uncover his past before his enemies find him.Romance: The chase might be emotional—the push and pull between two people who should be together but can’t admit it yet.
Example: Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice. The tension isn’t physical—it’s pride, misunderstanding, and longing.Fantasy: The chase could be for a quest goal or survival.
Example: Frodo carrying the Ring to Mordor, constantly hunted.Mystery: The chase is intellectual—the detective racing against time to piece clues together before the killer strikes again.Literary fiction: The chase might be internal—a search for meaning, redemption, or self-forgiveness.
Example: In The Kite Runner, Amir’s lifelong pursuit of redemption drives every scene.
🪶 A Personal Example (and Lesson Learned)
In one of my earlier novels, I had a great premise… or so I thought. A haunted mansion, eerie sounds, lost souls—the works. But halfway through, my beta readers said: “It’s spooky, but I don’t feel any urgency.”
Ouch.
The problem? My protagonist had no clear pursuit. She was reacting to events, not chasing anything. Once I gave her a goal—to uncover the secret of the mansion before it consumed her—the whole story tightened up. Suddenly, readers were racing through the chapters.
🔧 How to Build a Strong Chase in Any StoryGive your protagonist a clear goal.
Readers need to know what your main character wants—and what stands in the way.Raise the stakes.
Make failure costly. Emotional, physical, or moral stakes all work, as long as they matter deeply to the character.Add time pressure.
A ticking clock is one of the best tools for tension. (“She has 24 hours to find the antidote.”)Keep complications coming.
Just when things seem to go right—bam! Something new goes wrong.Control the pacing.
Alternate fast scenes with breathers. Even a quiet moment should hum with unanswered questions.End scenes on a question or beat of uncertainty.
That’s your secret weapon for “page-turner” energy.
✨ A Better Word Than “Chase”?
If “the chase” doesn’t fit your genre or style, think of it as “the pursuit,” “the tension thread,” or simply “narrative momentum.”
Whatever term you choose, the goal’s the same: to keep your readers emotionally invested from page one to “The End.”
🎬 Wrapping It Up
Every story—no matter how quiet or explosive—needs its version of the chase. It’s what turns pages, keeps readers anxious, and makes your characters unforgettable.
So ask yourself: What’s my protagonist chasing? If you can answer that clearly, you’ve already built the backbone of a story no one will want to put down.
Your turn: What’s your favourite example of a “chase” in fiction—literal or emotional? Share it in the comments! I reply personally to every comment.
Every writer wants the same magical reaction from readers: “I couldn’t put it down.”
That’s the dream, right? But what actually makes a story so gripping that readers ignore texts, skip lunch, and stay up until 2 a.m.? It’s not just plot twists or pretty prose. It’s the chase—that constant sense of movement, pressure, and urgency that keeps your characters (and your readers) on edge.
Whether you’re writing romance, horror, sci-fi, or literary fiction, every story needs a chase. It’s not always a literal footrace—it’s the pursuit of something that matters so deeply to your protagonist that we must see how it ends.
🎯 What We Really Mean by “The Chase”
Let’s be clear: “the chase” doesn’t have to involve speeding cars, laser fights, or people sprinting through dark alleys (though those are fun). It’s the engine of tension that drives your story forward—the emotional momentum that makes readers say, “Just one more chapter…”
In craft terms, it’s what thriller writers call suspense, romance writers call emotional tension, and literary writers might call narrative drive.
But whatever you call it, it’s the same heartbeat that keeps readers hooked.
🧠 The Psychology Behind It
Humans are wired to crave resolution. When we see someone struggling toward a goal—escaping danger, winning love, uncovering a secret—we feel that pull too. It’s called the Zeigarnik effect: the brain hates unfinished business.
Your story’s chase plays right into that. The moment your reader feels anxiety, curiosity, or anticipation, they’re locked in. They need to know what happens next.
🚀 Examples of “The Chase” in Different GenresThriller: The obvious one. The hero’s racing to stop a bomb before it explodes. Classic chase.
Example: Jason Bourne trying to uncover his past before his enemies find him.Romance: The chase might be emotional—the push and pull between two people who should be together but can’t admit it yet.
Example: Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice. The tension isn’t physical—it’s pride, misunderstanding, and longing.Fantasy: The chase could be for a quest goal or survival.
Example: Frodo carrying the Ring to Mordor, constantly hunted.Mystery: The chase is intellectual—the detective racing against time to piece clues together before the killer strikes again.Literary fiction: The chase might be internal—a search for meaning, redemption, or self-forgiveness.
Example: In The Kite Runner, Amir’s lifelong pursuit of redemption drives every scene.
🪶 A Personal Example (and Lesson Learned)
In one of my earlier novels, I had a great premise… or so I thought. A haunted mansion, eerie sounds, lost souls—the works. But halfway through, my beta readers said: “It’s spooky, but I don’t feel any urgency.”
Ouch.
The problem? My protagonist had no clear pursuit. She was reacting to events, not chasing anything. Once I gave her a goal—to uncover the secret of the mansion before it consumed her—the whole story tightened up. Suddenly, readers were racing through the chapters.
🔧 How to Build a Strong Chase in Any StoryGive your protagonist a clear goal.
Readers need to know what your main character wants—and what stands in the way.Raise the stakes.
Make failure costly. Emotional, physical, or moral stakes all work, as long as they matter deeply to the character.Add time pressure.
A ticking clock is one of the best tools for tension. (“She has 24 hours to find the antidote.”)Keep complications coming.
Just when things seem to go right—bam! Something new goes wrong.Control the pacing.
Alternate fast scenes with breathers. Even a quiet moment should hum with unanswered questions.End scenes on a question or beat of uncertainty.
That’s your secret weapon for “page-turner” energy.
✨ A Better Word Than “Chase”?
If “the chase” doesn’t fit your genre or style, think of it as “the pursuit,” “the tension thread,” or simply “narrative momentum.”
Whatever term you choose, the goal’s the same: to keep your readers emotionally invested from page one to “The End.”
🎬 Wrapping It Up
Every story—no matter how quiet or explosive—needs its version of the chase. It’s what turns pages, keeps readers anxious, and makes your characters unforgettable.
So ask yourself: What’s my protagonist chasing? If you can answer that clearly, you’ve already built the backbone of a story no one will want to put down.
Your turn: What’s your favourite example of a “chase” in fiction—literal or emotional? Share it in the comments! I reply personally to every comment.
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