Help! My Story Isn’t Working! – Is It the Stakes?
What will it cost your Main Character if they don’t achieve their goal? How do you keep ramping up the tension and suspense as your story unfolds, making the Main Character’s goal more difficult to attain? Both of these questions involve raising the Stakes of your story, causing the Main Character to fight elevated conflicts and problems as they get closer to their goal.
Often, it can be difficult for writers to pummel their sainted Main Character with conflicts, stakes, an Antagonist, and other factors that beat up the lead in their story. Writers choose their Main Character for a reason, so to see a speck of dirt on them can be akin to treason.
I, however, believe that you should put your Main Character through the wringer, making them fight for what they are after and not letting up throughout the story. Even small victories should have the looming reality that there’s more danger ahead, and that they aren’t out of trouble until they’ve defeated the Antagonist, achieved their goal, and can get back to some semblance of a normal life.
With that in mind, let’s explore a few problems and potential solutions related to Stakes.
Problem: Things are too easy for my Main Character
Possible Solution #1: Re-Evaluate your Main Character’s primary goal.
What does your Main Character want to achieve by the end of the story? If the goal is too easy to reach, then the stakes aren’t high enough. The primary goal should be something that they cannot simply order on Amazon or resolve by making a phone call. It needs to be something that, if they fail, their world comes crashing down.
During the brainstorming and outlining phases, take the time to ensure the goal is a formidable and seemingly insurmountable one for the Main Character.
Possible Solution #2: You may need a stronger Antagonist.
The Antagonist can’t be a pushover or someone you’re Main Character can get rid of easily. This character needs to be a constant problem for your Main Character, a person who will do whatever it takes to prevent them from reaching their goal.
Who have you chosen as your Antagonist? Why? Are they a significant enough obstacle that the only option for your Main Character is to defeat them so they can reach their goal? Are they or their minions a constant presence that reminds the Main Character at every turn that one wrong move will result in failure or worse?
Look at the goal you’ve established for your Main Character. How can the Antagonist do everything possible to prevent them from reaching their goal? How can the Antagonist’s actions raise the stakes for the Main Character as they move closer to their goal?
Possible Solution #3: Obstacles, obstacles, obstacles.
These should be developed in the early phases of the writing process. Throw as many on the table as you can think of. Brainstorm as many as you want and sort through them later.
Next, organize them in a way that causes the maximum amount of trouble for your Main Character. Ensure their primary goal appears impossible as they struggle through the story and its numerous obstacles, ensuring that each obstacle they overcome leads to more trouble and higher stakes.
Problem: I’ve painted my Main Character into a corner and don’t know how to get them out.
Possible Solution #1: Plant a setup for their escape earlier in the story or sequence.
Stories are about setups and payoffs, so it’s always acceptable to have a setup established that can help your Main Character out of a jam later on. Think about James Bond’s gadgets. Q gives them to him with a brief description, then we don’t see them again until Bond is in dire need of an escape. Luckily, the gadgets he’s been given for that particular mission help save the day.
Possible Solution #2: If they have a sidekick, mentor, or love interest, consider using them here.
If the Main Character isn’t on their journey alone, you can have one of the secondary characters come to their aid. It doesn’t make the Main Character weak or passive if they need help in a bad situation.
A good example is from Star Wars: A New Hope. When Luke, Leia, Han, and Chewie are trapped in the Garbage Compactor, it’s C-3PO and R2-D2 that come to the rescue. The hero, Luke, is in a literal jam and needs assistance to escape and keep going on his quest.
Possible Solution #3: Just delete the problem.
If all else fails, cut the scene and write something new and less difficult for the Main Character to get through. It should still be a challenge, but one that you can come up with a plausible escape from.
Possible Solution #4: Work backwards.
What do you see as the scene or chapter right after the one where your Main Character is trapped? The beauty of being a writer is that you can move about in time and plan out all aspects of the sequence backwards, forwards, or from the middle.
Brainstorm ways they can get out of their predicament and see which one works best for your story. You may have to alter elements to get to the chosen outcome, but you’ll be able to unstick them and move to the next part of the story.
Problem: I’ve thrown too many obstacles at my Main Character.
Possible Solution #1: Analyze all stakes and obstacles on a scale of 1 (simple) to 10 (could cause death).
Write all your stakes and obstacles on notecards, then rank them from easiest to overcome to impossible. Organize them in a way that presents your Main Character with a genuine challenge to achieve their goal. You can have some easier-to-beat obstacles here and there, but the 8s, 9s, and 10s should outweigh the 1s, 2s, and 3s.
Possible Solution #2: Go through and cut obstacles or stakes that seem cliché or easy to defeat.
You’ve seen enough movies, TV shows, and read enough books to see clichéd stakes and ways to overcome them. Do your best to ferret these types of obstacles and stakes out of your story. Obviously, specific genres lend themselves to particular kinds of stakes, so you may find a few clichéd elements that you can give a unique spin to.
Also, as you work through your list of possible stakes and obstacles, toss out ones that are ridiculously easy to overcome. The more challenging the better.
Brainstorming & Outlines
Some dread these elements of the writing process, but they are MANDATORY pieces of the creative writing puzzle. Both of these aspects give you the freedom to play around and experiment with your story before you commit to drafting your manuscript.
You’ll be in a much better position when you go into your initial draft with a plan than if you go in blindly with no direction.
Next Time…
We’ll wrap up the series with some parting thoughts!
Happy Writing, and I’ll see you next time!
Often, it can be difficult for writers to pummel their sainted Main Character with conflicts, stakes, an Antagonist, and other factors that beat up the lead in their story. Writers choose their Main Character for a reason, so to see a speck of dirt on them can be akin to treason.
I, however, believe that you should put your Main Character through the wringer, making them fight for what they are after and not letting up throughout the story. Even small victories should have the looming reality that there’s more danger ahead, and that they aren’t out of trouble until they’ve defeated the Antagonist, achieved their goal, and can get back to some semblance of a normal life.
With that in mind, let’s explore a few problems and potential solutions related to Stakes.
Problem: Things are too easy for my Main Character
Possible Solution #1: Re-Evaluate your Main Character’s primary goal.
What does your Main Character want to achieve by the end of the story? If the goal is too easy to reach, then the stakes aren’t high enough. The primary goal should be something that they cannot simply order on Amazon or resolve by making a phone call. It needs to be something that, if they fail, their world comes crashing down.
During the brainstorming and outlining phases, take the time to ensure the goal is a formidable and seemingly insurmountable one for the Main Character.
Possible Solution #2: You may need a stronger Antagonist.
The Antagonist can’t be a pushover or someone you’re Main Character can get rid of easily. This character needs to be a constant problem for your Main Character, a person who will do whatever it takes to prevent them from reaching their goal.
Who have you chosen as your Antagonist? Why? Are they a significant enough obstacle that the only option for your Main Character is to defeat them so they can reach their goal? Are they or their minions a constant presence that reminds the Main Character at every turn that one wrong move will result in failure or worse?
Look at the goal you’ve established for your Main Character. How can the Antagonist do everything possible to prevent them from reaching their goal? How can the Antagonist’s actions raise the stakes for the Main Character as they move closer to their goal?
Possible Solution #3: Obstacles, obstacles, obstacles.
These should be developed in the early phases of the writing process. Throw as many on the table as you can think of. Brainstorm as many as you want and sort through them later.
Next, organize them in a way that causes the maximum amount of trouble for your Main Character. Ensure their primary goal appears impossible as they struggle through the story and its numerous obstacles, ensuring that each obstacle they overcome leads to more trouble and higher stakes.
Problem: I’ve painted my Main Character into a corner and don’t know how to get them out.
Possible Solution #1: Plant a setup for their escape earlier in the story or sequence.
Stories are about setups and payoffs, so it’s always acceptable to have a setup established that can help your Main Character out of a jam later on. Think about James Bond’s gadgets. Q gives them to him with a brief description, then we don’t see them again until Bond is in dire need of an escape. Luckily, the gadgets he’s been given for that particular mission help save the day.
Possible Solution #2: If they have a sidekick, mentor, or love interest, consider using them here.
If the Main Character isn’t on their journey alone, you can have one of the secondary characters come to their aid. It doesn’t make the Main Character weak or passive if they need help in a bad situation.
A good example is from Star Wars: A New Hope. When Luke, Leia, Han, and Chewie are trapped in the Garbage Compactor, it’s C-3PO and R2-D2 that come to the rescue. The hero, Luke, is in a literal jam and needs assistance to escape and keep going on his quest.
Possible Solution #3: Just delete the problem.
If all else fails, cut the scene and write something new and less difficult for the Main Character to get through. It should still be a challenge, but one that you can come up with a plausible escape from.
Possible Solution #4: Work backwards.
What do you see as the scene or chapter right after the one where your Main Character is trapped? The beauty of being a writer is that you can move about in time and plan out all aspects of the sequence backwards, forwards, or from the middle.
Brainstorm ways they can get out of their predicament and see which one works best for your story. You may have to alter elements to get to the chosen outcome, but you’ll be able to unstick them and move to the next part of the story.
Problem: I’ve thrown too many obstacles at my Main Character.
Possible Solution #1: Analyze all stakes and obstacles on a scale of 1 (simple) to 10 (could cause death).
Write all your stakes and obstacles on notecards, then rank them from easiest to overcome to impossible. Organize them in a way that presents your Main Character with a genuine challenge to achieve their goal. You can have some easier-to-beat obstacles here and there, but the 8s, 9s, and 10s should outweigh the 1s, 2s, and 3s.
Possible Solution #2: Go through and cut obstacles or stakes that seem cliché or easy to defeat.
You’ve seen enough movies, TV shows, and read enough books to see clichéd stakes and ways to overcome them. Do your best to ferret these types of obstacles and stakes out of your story. Obviously, specific genres lend themselves to particular kinds of stakes, so you may find a few clichéd elements that you can give a unique spin to.
Also, as you work through your list of possible stakes and obstacles, toss out ones that are ridiculously easy to overcome. The more challenging the better.
Brainstorming & Outlines
Some dread these elements of the writing process, but they are MANDATORY pieces of the creative writing puzzle. Both of these aspects give you the freedom to play around and experiment with your story before you commit to drafting your manuscript.
You’ll be in a much better position when you go into your initial draft with a plan than if you go in blindly with no direction.
Next Time…
We’ll wrap up the series with some parting thoughts!
Happy Writing, and I’ll see you next time!
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