Stakes

Stakes are what a character has to lose or gain, the consequences for failing, and what makes readers care if that characters achieves her goal or not.

More information on stakes

• What's at Stake? How Do You Make Readers Care About Your Story?
• Why Quieter Stakes Are Easier to Plot With
• The One-Two Punch: Creating Conflict and Raising the Stakes
• Making the Most of the Worst That Can Happen: Plotting for the Thrill
• Up, Up, and Away! Raising the Stakes
• Raising the Stakes: Revising to Keep Readers Reading
• Guest Author Aimee Salter: Revising to Raise the Stakes
• Decisions, Decisions: Character Choices That Matter
• Fundamental Check: Do Your Scenes Have What They Need?
• Goal - Conflict - Stakes. Why You Need All Three
• So What? Making Readers Care
• Up the Stakes by Narrowing the Focus

See all articles on stakes

Related topics: conflict, goals, motivation, tension