Creating Tension by Putting Your Character Where They Don’t Belong

Part of the series Writing a Book from Start to Finish

By J.E. Nickerson | Wise Thinkers Help Desk

⸻

Creating Tension Through Displacement in Fiction

One of the most effective ways to create tension in fiction isn’t with gunfights or explosions—it’s by putting your character in a place, role, or situation where they don’t fully belong. Displacement creates vulnerability, and vulnerability creates suspense.

When readers sense that a character is out of their depth—socially, professionally, or emotionally—they lean in, waiting to see how that character will survive, adapt, or fail.

⸻

Why This Works

• Discomfort is relatable: Everyone knows the feeling of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

• It raises the stakes: Even if your character is skilled, being “out of place” makes their challenges harder than expected.

• It allows for layered tension: The danger doesn’t need to be physical—it can be psychological, social, or emotional.

⸻

Examples from Fiction and Film

• A female doctor working in a psychiatric ward filled with volatile male patients.

• A rookie teacher locked in a classroom during a school lockdown.

• A soldier trained for combat sent on a peacekeeping mission where violence could erupt from a single misstep.

• A business executive stranded in a rural community where no one respects corporate authority.

• A teenager asked to keep a family secret during a holiday gathering where the truth is on the verge of spilling out.

Movie Examples:

1. Erin Brockovich (2000):

Erin, a legal assistant with no formal training, is suddenly responsible for uncovering corporate corruption. In one key scene, she storms into a boardroom full of suited lawyers who underestimate her. The tension comes not from violence, but from her displacement—she doesn’t speak their language, doesn’t “belong” in their polished world, and yet she refuses to back down. The audience is hooked, wondering if she’ll be dismissed or triumph.

2. The Devil Wears Prada (2006):

Andy, a newcomer to the fashion industry, struggles to survive under Miranda Priestly’s impossible standards. A memorable scene shows Andy being humiliated when she laughs at two nearly identical belts, not realizing the depth of fashion culture. In that moment, the tension is social—Andy is exposed as an outsider, her ignorance painfully visible to everyone in the room.

3. A Few Good Men (1992):

A junior Navy lawyer, Kaffee, is thrust into a military trial far above his level of experience. In one courtroom scene, he falters while cross-examining a seasoned officer, the imbalance of power obvious. He’s out of his depth, trying to maintain professionalism while facing an opponent who could crush him with a single objection. The suspense comes from the mismatch between his role and the gravity of the case.

⸻

Writing Exercises

1. Role Reversal

Take your protagonist and place them in a setting where their skills don’t transfer.

• Example: A surgeon must save someone’s life without medical equipment.

• Exercise: Write a one-page scene showing their frustration and improvisation.

2. Psychological Danger

Focus on unease rather than violence.

• Example: A teacher suspects her students know too much about her personal life.

• Exercise: Write three lines of dialogue where the tension comes from what isn’t said.

3. Raising the Stakes in Familiar Roles

Keep your character in their job, but complicate it.

• Example: A detective interrogating someone who knows his darkest secret.

• Exercise: Draft a paragraph where the character tries to maintain professionalism while internally unraveling.

4. The Outsider’s Perspective

Put your character in an environment where they are clearly not welcome.

• Example: A city lawyer at a small-town council meeting.

• Exercise: Write a short inner monologue capturing their sense of isolation.

⸻

Final Tip

Tension doesn’t always come from bullets flying. Sometimes it’s the silence in a crowded room, the hostile glance from a stranger, or the unsettling sense of being in the wrong place. If you can make your character feel out of place—like Erin in the courtroom, Andy in the fashion world, or Kaffee in a military trial—you’ll make your reader feel on edge.

Love this article? Looking for more help to create characters who struggle and inspire your audience through their struggles? Read the following articles for more in depth insights. 

➡️ Building Imperfectly Perfect Characters: Understanding Flaws and Growth

➡️ The Quiet Warnings: How Side Characters Reflect the Hero’s Path

➡️ Why Did You Do That? Discovering Your Character’s Motivation

📚 If you’re new here, I’m J.E. Nickerson — faith based author and inspirational storyteller. You can check out my books here or follow me on YouTube for more inspiration and encouragement on this writing life.

Writing Worksheet: Creating Tension by Putting Your Character Where They Don’t Belong

Tension often comes from displacement—when a character is placed in a situation, role, or environment that feels unsafe, uncomfortable, or unpredictable. Use the exercises below to generate scenes that heighten suspense in your writing.

⸻

1. Role Reversal

Take your character out of their comfort zone and put them somewhere their skills don’t easily apply.

• My character’s profession/skill: ________________________

• The situation where that skill is useless: ________________________

• What they must do instead: ________________________

✎ Write a short scene (5–10 sentences) showing their frustration as they struggle to adapt.

⸻

2. Psychological Danger

Tension doesn’t have to be violent. Sometimes it’s the quiet threat of what isn’t said.

• My character’s secret or vulnerability: ________________________

• The person who could expose it: ________________________

• The setting where this tension plays out: ________________________

✎ Write 3 lines of dialogue where the real danger is in the subtext, not the words.

⸻

3. Raising the Stakes in Familiar Roles

Even if your character belongs in their job, you can complicate it.

• My character’s job/role: ________________________

• The situation that makes it unusually difficult: ________________________

• What they risk losing if they fail: ________________________

✎ Draft a paragraph showing them trying to maintain control while internally unraveling.

⸻

4. The Outsider’s Perspective

Displace your character socially or culturally—make them “the outsider.”

• My character’s identity/role: ________________________

• The group or environment where they don’t belong: ________________________

• Why they aren’t accepted: ________________________

✎ Write a short inner monologue capturing how it feels to be the outsider in this space.

⸻

Final Reflection

Think about your story. Where could you heighten tension by displacing your character—socially, professionally, or emotionally?

• Scene idea: _______________________________________________

• Why this creates tension: _______________________________________________