Q2 Week 3 CRAFT: Stakes and Obstacles

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One of my favorite craft book writers is James Scott Bell. He’s a maestro in the art of writing. In his book, Write Your Story from the Middle, he categorizes stakes into three types: Physical, Professional, and Psychological. Each type embodies a form of 'death' in creating gripping obstacles for our characters.

PHYSICAL STAKES

The most primal of stakes, physical stakes revolve around the character's survival or physical well-being. Think about a scenario where your character faces a life-threatening situation, a race against time, or a battle against the elements. It’s not just about the threat of physical 'death', but the fear and tension it creates. This immediate, tangible stake can be a powerful tool to ramp up the urgency and emotional intensity from the get-go.

PROFESSIONAL STAKES

Professional stakes deal with the character's livelihood or career aspirations. Here, 'death' is metaphorical - the demise of a dream, reputation, or life's work. Imagine your character at the brink of achieving a lifelong ambition, only to face a hurdle that threatens to shatter it all. This type of obstacle can test your character’s resilience and dedication, pushing them to redefine their understanding of success and failure.

PSYCHOLOGICAL STAKES

Often the most complex, psychological stakes delve into the character's mental and emotional realm. The 'death' here is the loss of identity, sanity, or crucial relationships. It could be a personal trauma resurfacing, a deep-seated fear, or a moral dilemma. These stakes challenge the very core of your character's psyche, compelling them to confront their innermost demons or desires. Crafting such obstacles requires a nuanced understanding of human emotions and motivations.

When plotting your novel's major obstacles, consider intertwining these stakes to create a multidimensional challenge. Perhaps your protagonist is a firefighter (Physical) who is up for a promotion (Professional), but is struggling with the trauma of a past failure (Psychological). The convergence of these stakes not only heightens the tension but also deepens the character's journey.

In the end, great stories aren’t just about what your characters do—they’re about what they stand to lose. Stakes are the heart of conflict, the pulse that drives your plot forward. Whether your hero is facing bodily harm, the collapse of their career, or the unraveling of their identity, the pressure of that potential loss is what makes the story come alive. The more layered your stakes, the more emotionally invested your reader becomes. So challenge your characters. Put everything on the line. And trust that, in facing their fears and failures, they’ll rise—and take your readers with them.