In the age of instant gratification, learning to write tension—the art of delay, restraint, and longing—feels vital. This two-hour, generative workshop explores how to create romantic electricity on the page without relying on explicit scenes or clichés. Through close readings of Annie Proulx and Frank O’Hara and by watching a few film scenes together, we’ll examine how great writers build desire through what’s withheld. Together, we’ll discuss how pacing, gesture, details, and subtext can deepen intimacy between characters and draw readers in.
You will leave with two short scene drafts, a clearer understanding of how tension fuels storytelling, and practical tools for balancing emotional truth with restraint. Whether you write fiction, memoir, or poetry, this class will help you translate the ache of wanting into language that seduces.
• In-Class Writing Lift: Medium
• Homework: None
• Workshopping Drafts: None
Jarred Johnson, AKA JJ, grew up in the karst landscape of south-central Kentucky. He got his MFA in fiction from UNC Wilmington. He writes about rural people and forgotten places. His writing has been in the Oxford American and Bat City Review. He’s working on a sometimes-steamy novel about the metaverse and the end of coal mining, and he's excited to think about romance with you.
"Jarred (JJ) was incredible at synthesizing mindfulness into tangible, powerful writing prompts. He was attentive, direct and kind to his students. I walked away with a stronger ability to pay better attention to my surroundings; and, in turn, I look forward to seeing how that’ll transform my writing - for the better! Highly recommend!"
"JJ was a delight and shared a wealth of knowledge with us as students. I was so grateful not only for the material of the workshop itself but for the community he fostered as an instructor."
"Jarred was exceptional, and I left feeling ready to write."
