Excellent for creating tension, urgency, or drama because they speed up the pacing and convey intense emotion.
She said no. I didn’t listen. I should have.
These are great for descriptions, adding detail, and explanations. They can create an intellectual or reflective vibe—or even a dreamy one. You can also use them to evoke a sense of being overwhelmed. They slow the pacing, add complexity, and help build tension. But once you're in the thick of a tense moment, it's often better to switch back to short sentences to keep the energy up.
As the sun dipped behind the horizon, casting a golden sheen across the cracked pavement, she stood there, unsure of what she was waiting for—only that something, anything, had to change.
These give off a casual, stylized, and emotional tone. They're perfect for internal monologue and mimicking the way we actually think or speak.
Not the way I planned. Not even close. But here we are.
They add drama, rhythm, and emotional intensity. It's a powerful stylistic tool that can drive a point home.
She wanted peace. She wanted quiet. She wanted to forget.
If you're aiming for a formal, archaic, or poetic tone, this structure will get you there.
Gone was the light from his eyes.
If you're going for a conversational, conflicted, or stream-of-consciousness vibe—even something humorous if used right—interruptions are your friend. They mimic how we speak and think in real time.
I was going to tell her—God, I really was—but I couldn’t.
Questions are fantastic for showing uncertainty, anxiety, or inner conflict. They can also give off a philosophical tone and invite reflection from both the character and the reader.
What if I never make it out? What if this is it?