A Writer's POV - Keep Them Hooked: Writing Page-Turning Moments Like a TV Show

 

Yes, I know in the world of streaming, some may think the commercial break is old school. However, streaming services are now charging to remove commercials--so here we are--old school is new school.

If you’ve ever yelled “Are you kidding me?!” at your screen when a show cuts to commercial right as something big is about to happen… you already understand one of the most powerful storytelling tools available to you as a romance writer.

Television has mastered the art of the strategic interruption—and it’s exactly what keeps viewers glued. The good news? You can use the same technique to keep readers flipping pages deep into the night.

The “Commercial Break Effect”

Think about an episode of NCIS. Right before a commercial break:

• Gibbs discovers a crucial clue

• A suspect runs

• A gun is raised

Cut to black.

Or in Grey's Anatomy:

• A confession is about to happen

• A patient flatlines

• Two characters lock eyes with everything unsaid

Cue dramatic music… then ads.

Even comedies like Friends or Brooklyn Nine-Nine use this:

• A punchline is almost delivered

• A character is about to reveal a secret

• Chaos is just beginning

Cut. Wait. Come back. Payoff.

The goal is simple: create irresistible curiosity at the exact moment tension peaks.

Why This Works (And Why Romance Needs It)

Romance thrives on emotional tension—will they, won’t they, should they, can they survive this?

But here’s the truth:

Readers don’t turn pages because things are happening.

They turn pages because something is about to happen.

That “almost moment” is your version of a commercial break.

How to Use This in Romance Writing

1. Cut at the Peak—Not After the Resolution

Don’t write the kiss… and then end the chapter.

End it right before:

• His hand cups her face

• She realizes what she’s about to do

• He says her name like a promise

Cut. New chapter.

2. Interrupt Emotional Vulnerability

Romance readers crave intimacy—but anticipation makes it powerful.

Instead of:

“I love you,” he said.

Try:

“I—” His voice broke.

She leaned closer. “What?”

He swallowed. 

Chapter End.

Cruel? Yes. Effective? Absolutely.

3. Use Physical Action as a Trigger

Borrow directly from shows like NCIS:

• A door bursts open

• A letter is discovered

• A rival appears

In romance, this could be:

• The ex walks in

• A secret is uncovered

• A betrayal is about to be revealed

End the chapter at the moment of impact, not the aftermath.

4. Leverage Dual POV for Maximum Tension

This is your secret weapon (and you already use it beautifully).

Example from The Thistle and The Rose (soon to be released!):

• End Claire’s chapter as she’s captured

• Switch to Lachlan—who doesn’t know yet

Now readers are screaming internally:

 GO FIND HER!

That emotional gap = page-turning fuel.

5. Delay the Payoff (Just Enough)

TV shows return from commercials and stretch the moment before delivering.

You should too:

• Let the tension simmer

• Add sensory detail

• Slow time

But don’t delay too long—you’re teasing, not torturing.

Romance-Specific “Commercial Break” Ideas

Use these moments to end chapters:

• Right before a first kiss (or forbidden one)

• Just as a truth is about to be revealed

• When desire becomes undeniable—but not acted on

• When danger collides with intimacy

• During a quiet, vulnerable confession that gets interrupted

• When one character realizes something the other doesn’t

Example (Romance Style)

Instead of this:

Lachlan pulled her into his arms and kissed her, finally giving in to everything between them.

I changed it to this:

Lachlan’s hand slid to the back of her neck, fingers tightening just enough to steal her breath.

Claire didn’t move. Didn’t dare.

His gaze dropped to her mouth.

“If I do this,” he murmured, voice rough, “'tis no turning back.

She should have stepped away.

She didn’t.

His lips hovered—

And then—

Chapter break.

Final Thought: Make Them Need to Know

TV writers understand something powerful:

The audience will wait through commercials if they need the answer.

Your readers will turn the page if:

• The emotional stakes are high

• The moment is unfinished

• The question is urgent

So the next time you finish a chapter, ask yourself:

“Am I ending this scene… or am I cutting to commercial?”

Because the difference?

• One closes the book.
• The other keeps them up until 2 a.m.

The Right Ingredients

I love to cook and bake. I scour cookbooks, watch cooking shows, and stalk Pinterest for new and exciting recipes to try out on my family. While most have been successful, there have been some that I'll never attempt again. The main reason a recipe doesn't work is because you do not follow the it. Another reason, you just don't have the right ingredients or the right ratio of ingredients.

As with cooking, writing needs the right ingredients in order to create an engaging story with compelling characters and strong conflict. I think we can all agree the five needed elements or ingredients to a story are Character, Setting, Plot, Conflict, and Theme. But there are also the spices and seasoning needed to enhance a story.

In regards to Characters, you need to hone your voice and know your genre in order to create the right

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type of character. Think about Harlequin Presents - the hero is a super alpha male. This type of hero would not work with Love Inspired, just as hot pepper wouldn't work vanilla cake. Each Character needs to have GMC (Goals, Motivation, and Conflict). If a Character does not have these elements, they will not ring true to the story or plot, their actions and reactions will not be internally driven. GMC can change and shift -- thus the Character Arc.

The Character Arc is essential to a character just as milk is essential to ice cream, as ground beef is to

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a hamburger. Each main character and sub characters, if the plot dictates, experiences an Arc. Your characters meet, mix together, sense an attraction, their conflict causes the climax, and resolution. In cooking terms, I've mixed all of the ingredients, some may have been a little tricky (think souffle) and when all is done, there is the satisfaction as the characters have faced the differences, conflicts, keep them apart and they profess their undying love.

As we plot our story, there needs to be pacing and the ebb and flow of the story, much like a sound wave when there is the rising action, climax, and resolution. As the plot begins to simmer, characters meet, create a relationship. The internal and external conflicts flavor each action and reaction. We still need to nurture our characters much as we'd baby a souffle to ensure they are true to the story, themselves, and readers will be drawn to the characters, believe in the characters.

Conflict drives a story, drives a characters thoughts, actions, reactions and dialogue. Conflict needs to be strong, full of spice in order to have a reason for the characters to be in the story. Each of the main characters has to have an internal conflict or else there wouldn't be a reason for the characters to be apart, there wouldn't be a reason for the characters to fight to be together. External conflict adds another layer, just as you build a cake, you have a layer, add the frosting, add another layer, then another layer of frosting.

Setting seems to be the easiest part of the story, especially since the internet has arrived. Obviously, you need to determine the correct setting for your genre and story. Just as you need to determine what side dishes will accompany the main dish, which wine, and what type of dessert. There are aspects of a story that needs to be a historical, just as there are elements of a story or plot and character that dictate the need for the story to be a fantasy or contemporary.

Theme is important, but the part I truly think of the least when I write. Recently, someone asked me the theme of my novel Wolf's Castle. To be honest, as I was writing the story I may not have been able to answer, but now I know it instantly. Not every story will have a theme just as the theme should not be preaching at you during the story.

And as with many recipes, a good, full bodied wine is recommended!

That's it according to Maddy~

Tootles~
Madelyn

Writing Process Blog Hop!

I was tagged by a fellow Soul Mate Author to talk about the writing process by Elle Hill to keep the blog hop going!

Each author has a different process, I hope you enjoy reading about my writing process.

1. What are you working on right now? 

 I am currently deep in edits with a Scottish historical called Heather In The Mist. I'm getting it ready to send to my publisher. This is one of my first manuscripts that has always held a special part of my heart. I love the heroine, who is spirited and the hero who is heavy with conflict, but so endearingly handsome.  Heather In The Mist is set in the Highlands with some mystery, drama, political strife, and of course romance.  I'd you like to see some of my inspiration, check out my Pinterest Board for HITM.


2. How does your work differ from others in the genre? 

I feel that each author has a specific voice the lends to a uniqueness in their writing. I love description, but I don't want heavy doses just dumped into the story. I try to intermingle the descriptions in dialogue, setting, etc.  I also like to have something unique in regards to my characters. In my debut novel, Wolf's Castle, the heroine dabbled in alchemy a decidedly unfeminine hobby for a young lady.  In HITM, the heroine Rogan assists her father with leading the clan because her mother is ill. Again, unusual for the time period and setting.  I remember when I first joined a writing group, I was clueless about POV and GMC. I had just written my stories the way they came into my head. I feel there may be too many rules to writing and it can stilt the writing process. For example, the number of POVs, there should be a kiss at this point, there should be sex at this point. I like to let the story unfold and then make it industry acceptable.


3. Why do you write? 

 I have always been an avid reader. If you asked my parents I've always had an avid imagination and would try to act out the stories I read. When I was old enough, I started jotting little stories and the writing bug never went away. I feel that if you are a writer, no matter if you goal is publishing, you will write no matter what. You have to. The stories are in you mind and they have to get out. The love of the process and exploration of plot, characters and setting drives writers whether they want to be the next best seller or create stories that are just your own.


4. What is your process? 

I have a couple different processes depending on if the story is yelling at me to be written or if I have to pull it from my mind kicking and screaming. I have plotted stories out using a whiteboard and sticky notes. This is a long process and I think in my case it took a lot out of me. I almost over plotted and lost the passion for the story. I am more of a pantser in regards to writing. I come up with a title or a story, immediately set out researching (so much easier with the Internet) and start getting the story down.  I like to just write the story and then go back and edit and move things around. There are times when I write and go back to that chapter and edit, edit, edit. But this seems to slow me down and I think too much pre-editing can kill the natural creative process. 

I do use technology when writing. I have a couple of Apps (Dragon Dictation) on my iphone in which I can speak and it will type out what I am saying.  This is great for long car rides and when I get a sudden blast of inspiration. I also have an App (Notability) on my iPad in which I can hand write using my finger or a stylist. This is helpful when I don't have Internet access, I can also speak into this App, but it is an oral dictation and doesn't type out words. I'm completely in love with Pinterest in which I create boards of writing and to be writing stories. The visuals help me pull more from my writing so I can truly describe what I want the reader to see.

Here are two Soul Mate authors whose words continue the Blog Hop!

Dee Carey and Beth Carter


That's it according to Maddy~

Tootles Madelyn~