The importance of stakes
How to raise the tension in your plot
Tension is the lifeblood of storytelling.
Keeping your readers on the edge of their seats, doling out just enough information to keep them guessing, is how you get them engaged and eagerly turning the page to find out more.
One of the most effective ways to cultivate this tension is through establishing and raising the narrative stakes—the emotional, physical, or existential risks that characters face throughout the narrative.
In this post, I’m going to explore the importance of stakes in fiction and provide practical strategies for elevating tension within your plot to help you craft unforgettable stories that your readers can’t put down.
Table of Contents
What Are Stakes?
Stakes refer to what’s at risk for the characters involved in a story. They answer the question: “What does this person stand to lose?”
Stakes can be tangible—such as lives, relationships, or possessions—or intangible, like reputation, dreams, or moral integrity.
Establishing clear stakes early in your narrative engages your audience and lays the groundwork for character motivation and conflict.
For instance, in The Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen’s initial stake is her survival and that of her loved ones. When she volunteers to take her sister’s place, the stakes rise dramatically—not just for her own life but for those she cares about back home. This clarity about what’s at stake helps readers invest emotionally in her journey.
Why Are High Stakes Important?
High stakes are crucial for several reasons:
1. Engagement
When readers understand what’s at risk, they become more invested in the outcome. High stakes create a sense of urgency that compels audiences to keep reading. If characters are facing significant consequences—whether it’s life and death, loss of identity, confronting a deeply held fear, and so on—readers are more likely to feel a connection and want to see how these challenges unfold.
2. Character Development
Stakes often reveal who characters truly are when pushed to their limits. Faced with high-stakes situations, characters may show bravery, cowardice, selfishness, or selflessness—all traits that contribute to their development and complexity. For example, Walter White’s transformation in Breaking Bad is driven by escalating stakes: his choices reflect his moral descent as he grapples with pride and desperation.
3. Conflict Creation
Stakes naturally generate conflict—both internal and external. Characters must navigate the obstacles presented by their environment or other characters while grappling with their own desires and fears. This enriches the narrative by adding layers of complexity that keep readers engaged.
4. Emotional Resonance
High stakes evoke strong emotions from readers. When your reader cares about what’s at risk for a character, their empathy prompts greater investment in the narrative outcome. This emotional resonance enhances storytelling by creating memorable moments that linger long after the story concludes.
“Stakes refer to what’s at risk for the characters involved in a story. They answer the question: ‘What does this person stand to lose?'”
Strategies to Raise Stakes
Now we’ve established why stakes matter, let’s explore some effective strategies for raising the stakes in your plot.
1. Clarify What’s at Risk
Begin by clearly defining what your protagonist stands to gain or lose throughout the story. Whether it’s a relationship, career opportunity, or personal safety, make sure these stakes are apparent early on so readers understand their significance.
For example, if you’re writing a romance novel, you’ll want to establish not only how characters feel about each other but also what losing that relationship would mean for them emotionally and socially.
2. Introduce Complications
As your plot progresses, introduce complications that escalate existing stakes or create new ones. These complications can arise from external forces (antagonists) or internal struggles (fears and doubts). For instance, in The Fault in Our Stars, Hazel Grace Lancaster faces not only her battle with cancer but also the complexities of love and loss—a duality that heightens emotional stakes throughout her journey.
3. Create Time Constraints
Imposing time limits on characters can significantly raise tension. When there’s a deadline looming—be it an impending disaster or an opportunity that will soon vanish—characters are compelled to act quickly, often leading to high-pressure decisions that can have profound consequences. For example, in Inception, the team must navigate dreams within dreams, racing against the clock to complete their mission before they are trapped indefinitely. This ticking clock not only heightens tension but also emphasises the stakes involved in their success or failure.
4. Raise Personal Stakes
Beyond external conflicts, personal stakes can add depth and complexity to your narrative. Explore how a character’s choices affect their relationships, values, or sense of self. When characters face dilemmas that challenge their morals or force them to make sacrifices, it raises the emotional stakes significantly. In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Harry grapples with the choice between saving his friends or pursuing Voldemort. These kinds of personal stakes can lead to intense internal conflict.
5. Utilise Foreshadowing
Foreshadowing is an effective technique for raising stakes by hinting at future dangers or complications. By dropping subtle clues about what may happen if characters fail, you create anticipation and anxiety for readers. This technique keeps audiences engaged as they consider potential outcomes and root for characters to overcome obstacles.
6. Escalate Consequences
As your story progresses, ensure that the consequences of your characters’ actions become increasingly significant. What starts as a minor setback can snowball into a life-altering crisis if not addressed effectively. For example, in The Great Gatsby, Gatsby’s pursuit of Daisy leads him down a path of moral decay and ultimately tragedy—a powerful reminder of how escalating consequences can elevate stakes dramatically.
7. Introduce High-Impact Decisions
Characters often face pivotal moments where they must make choices that affect not only their own lives but also those around them. These decisions should carry weight and consequence, amplifying the stakes involved. In The Lord of the Rings, Frodo’s choice to carry the One Ring is laden with implications not just for himself but for Middle Earth as a whole.
Conclusion: High Stakes Drive Tension And Tension Drives Engagement
Understanding and raising stakes is an essential component for crafting compelling narratives that evoke strong emotions and captivate your readers. But remember that high stakes don’t always have to be grandiose. Sometimes it’s the small moments—the quiet choices—that resonate most deeply with readers. As you develop your story, keep in mind that every decision your characters make should reflect what they stand to lose or gain. By mastering the art of raising stakes, you’ll create a narrative that not only entertains but also stays with readers long after they’ve turned the last page.
What’s the most gripping narrative you’ve read or watched? What made it so un-put-downable? Let me know in the comments!
