21.17: The Up and Down Escalators

21.17: The Up and Down Escalators

From Writing Excuses by Mary Robinette Kowal, DongWon Song, Erin Roberts, Dan Wells, and Howard Tayler

April 26, 2026 · 28 min · Season 21 · Episode 17

About this episode

The episode discusses how escalation and de-escalation affect story structure and reader engagement.

Today we zoom out from moment-to-moment tension and look at how escalation and de-escalation shape a story at the structural level—how raising stakes, lowering pressure, and shifting focus can control pacing, reader emotion, and narrative momentum. Our hosts explore what happens when stakes escalate too quickly (and lose meaning), and how de-escalation can be used intentionally through humor, distraction, or shifting perspective. From miscommunication tropes to scene transitions to avoiding “pointless up-and-down” detours, we offer practical ways to keep your readers engaged while guiding them smoothly between emotional highs and lows. Homework: Map the major beats of your work-in-progress and label each one as either an escalation or a de-escalation across your plot lines. Then review that map to identify any “pointless up-and-down” moments—places where tension drops without purpose or without a corresponding rise elsewhere—and revise so that every shift either advances stakes, deepens character, or introduces a new layer of tension. Final WXR Cruise! Our final WXR cruise sets sail for Alaska in September 2026—get your tickets here! Credits: Your hosts for this episode were Mary…

People in this episode

Hosts: Mary Robinette Kowal, Howard Tayler, Erin Roberts, DongWon Song

Topics covered

  • story structure
  • escalation
  • de-escalation
  • pacing
  • reader emotion
  • narrative momentum

Keywords

  • tension
  • stakes
  • humor
  • miscommunication
  • scene transitions
  • emotional highs and lows

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