Microtension has been sorely neglected in books on the craft of writing, even though it could probably be considered the strongest element in fiction. When used correctly, the reader’s propelled through the story, not just by your plot, but by the tension in your prose.

C.S. Lakin has written the textbook on mastering this technique with her latest work. Taking what she learned from well-known agent Donald Maass as the skeleton, she has deftly added the organs, muscle, and sinew to help both new and experienced authors understand ways to use this technique in their own work.

Mastering Microtension is a much needed addition to the library of writing craft.

posted to Amazon.com — 4/29/2026

Hi! My name is Kari J. Wolfe. I’m a wife, a mom of a special needs 18 year old, a writer, a gamer.

If you were expecting someone else, erm, sorry?

Located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where the shade is cool because the humidity is low, but always wishing I was at the Grand Canyon in Colorado weather. (Yes, there are no people at the Grand Canyon in this wish but me and Tom — hm, does that make it more of a dream?)

I need a place to play around with thoughts, to put ideas out there and see how they’re received. I’ll be writing about a lot of different topics — but hopefully, I can keep a fluid focus on literature and storytelling, both in video games and the written word, because, honestly, that’s what I love the most. Perhaps that’ll be one of the articles/essays I write?

So, there will be times I talk about politics. And yes, I firmly believe it matters. If you don’t want to talk politics — or don’t like my politics — that’s fine. You don’t have to read those articles. You can step away.

Or, at least, PLEASE be coherent in the comments you leave. No ad hominem attacks and I’ll listen to you. I think that this lack of being able to rationally discuss issues that matter to us is a large part of why America feels so divided right now.

Okay, and I really like music and lyrics written by one Mr Maynard James Keenan of TOOL, A Perfect Circle, and Puscifer fame. Yes, there will be talk of Maynard as well. Hopefully I won’t sound like a “fan girl” too much. (I know, too late, right?)

Anyway, if you want to know more, continue past the subscription form (which if you haven’t filled it out, you might do so now). If not, I hope you enjoy the next one!

I learn.

• My bachelor's degree (2006) is in Mathematics and Physics from Marshall University in Huntington, WV. (Physics is harder than Mathematics.)

• Currently (as of April 2025) I am working on my masters in fine arts in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University in Greensburg, PA.

• I would have ALL the degrees if higher education didn't require so many thousands of dollars in financial aid.

• Since 2020 or so, I've taken Richard Thomas's Advanced Creative Writing course most years. Except for this one because I started my Master’s program. I’m going to take it again next year. I should have done it this year. Ah well.

• The last thirteen years or so, I have been learning about horsemanship. Much different than writing, but still psychologically fascinating. It's been a long journey. I’m currently taking a hiatus for various reasons, but I don’t see that being forever. At least, I really hope not.

• About fourteen years ago (or so), our daughter Natasha was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. In spring of 2024, she graduated from Air Academy High School in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

I read.

• Not as much as I did when I was a kid unfortunately, but then I have other things I have to do during the day too. Unfortunately.

• When I was young, my favorite author was Stephen King and I'd say he's most likely my biggest influence although I haven't read much by him in a long while. Stephen Graham Jones, Brian Evenson, John Langan, Laird Barron… all the literary weird horror authors — that’s the crowd I want to be in.

• I am a political news junkie (fanatic) and have to put hard limits on watching or reading the news or I will spiral into depression. Especially now. I pay attention enough to know what's going on, but not enough to be preaching the apocalypse. So I will be writing about politics as well. Everyone has a voice and should use it.

I write.

• Currently working on a novel (my MFA thesis) tentatively titled The House.

  • Logline: Kidnapped for revenge against her husband, a struggling stay-at-home mother and her children must join one of the men who kidnapped them to escape from the evil spirit of the house through his possessed partner-in-crime.

• I have a story, "Behind the Floodwall," in the anthology, In the Woods, edited by Robert Lewis. Going back to her hometown, a woman estranged from her family looks into the disappearance of her brother leading to family secrets she may not want to know. Or something like that anyway.

• I have two LGBT romances (one adult and one YA) that are currently out-of-print (rights reverted) that I co-wrote with a friend under a pseudonym. The first one earned my advance back and then a little more.

• I have a story, "An Accidental Opportunity," in the out-of-print anthology, An Uncommon Collection, a collection of stories from the (now defunct) Colorado Springs Fiction Writers Group.

• I blogged for Men With Pens, doing web design and and worked alongside James Chartrand for four years, as well as taking her Damn Fine Words and Damn Fine Ebooks courses.

I edit.

• I was the editor for the out-of-print anthology, Colorado State of Mind, a collection of stories from the (now defunct) Colorado Springs Fiction Writers Group.

• I edited and designed the interior of the Shared Worlds anthology twice.

• I am a member of Fiction Foundry, a Colorado fiction critique group, as well as a long standing member of the Colorado Springs Fiction Writers Group.

I game.

• I play two MMORPGs.

  • Kips Sanguine in Final Fantasy XIV on the Odin server.

  • Kippras in The Elder Scrolls Online.

• I am a huge fan of the Remedy Connected Universe: Alan Wake (1 and 2), Control, and Quantum Break. Sam Lake, the creative director of Remedy Entertainment, is my current hero.

I plan on posting something about every two weeks. You should stick around and see.

Laters!

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