tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post2451296287413778995..comments2024-03-27T10:02:56.747-04:00Comments on Fiction University: 5 Ways to Raise the Stakes in Your SceneJanice Hardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-11585816165768700152023-02-19T16:39:32.749-05:002023-02-19T16:39:32.749-05:00I hate to admit it, as I do not always follow thes...I hate to admit it, as I do not always follow these rules, but suspect that in the vast majority of occasions, including romance tales, you are right.Raynaydayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01280020755371174066noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-5645366934201011772023-01-30T14:58:50.917-05:002023-01-30T14:58:50.917-05:00Thanks, Ken! I love that. It's a great way to ...Thanks, Ken! I love that. It's a great way to mix options and cause havoc for the protagonist. Some of the best villains are from comics :) Janice Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-70700184608185833772023-01-30T09:36:22.549-05:002023-01-30T09:36:22.549-05:00An excellent Janice Hardy discussion -- which is a...An excellent Janice Hardy discussion -- which is absolutely as good as it gets.<br /><br />One example that keeps coming back to me is a combination of methods 2 and 3: find something or someone the reader can care about, and smash it. The Joker is the most infamous villain in comics, but one reason for that is that most of his big events have become about him actually succeeding in killing (or otherwise destroying) characters we've become attached to. A different story can put any kind of side goal or victory on the chopping block too.<br /><br />There's just that extra *possibility,* when there's anything in the crosshairs besides the hero's own life, and the hope of that final victory. And sometimes those aren't safe either.Ken Hugheshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02732164204232936705noreply@blogger.com