If you answered "medium rare" you may need to read the title again. No I didn't misspell it either. I'm talking about the stakes in your book, those things that build tension for the hero. For example, have you ever been to Las Vegas or seen a movie about gambling and the main character bets all or nothing on the roulette table. As that ball spins around and bumps the multiple numbers the tension builds and we move to the edge of our seats. Will he win big or lose his shirt?
That is a prime example of how high stakes adds high levels of tension to our manuscripts. Do you think the above example would have the same feel and impact if the main character placed a fifty dollar beat? Probably not. His financial livelihood was on the line and this is way the tension was high. But the main character doesn't have to be the only one with high stakes. Your villain can have them as well but he/she will handle those stakes differently. They will do horrible things because something important to them is at stake. For example, the wife of a billionaire suspects he is going broke because he bet everything on the roulette table so she kills him to maintain her lifestyle with the life insurance. They will achieve their goals no matter what and at any cost. You may be able to relate to the wife but you don't like her very much for her methods.
Can your stakes be too high? Never! The higher the better but if you have really high stakes, such as the annihilation of the human race, then you will need some smaller stake for the individual characters that build up to this all encompassing stake. For example, each character is in charge of obtaining certain items within a time limit, if they fail they die because all the items will be needed to save the human race. This is a generic example but you can see the stakes for each and how they lend to each other.
The main thing we should remember is that the stakes need to be significant within our plot for the story to take flight. What does that mean? Think about your story for a minute and ask yourself "what would be the ultimate sacrifice my hero could give to safe the day?" That is how high your stakes can go. Now look at your villain "what is the worst thing he/she can do to obtain their goal?" That is what the stakes will mean to them.
So, do you believe your stakes are high enough?
After all this talk I think I'm going to have a steak for dinner. Sorry, had to throw that in there.
5 comments:
I agree that the stakes need to be high, but I think they also need to fit the story. If the stakes are comically high in a story where they don't belong, things can become a bit too ridiculous. Keeling over of mortification is a definite possibility for a typical American teenager, but causing the destruction of the entire human race is far less likely, unless, of course, it fits the story.
Alissa - You are absolutely correct. The stakes must fit the premise of your story. It is up to the author to determine how high those stakes can be and still maintain story integrity. It is said that there is a fine line between genius and insanity. The same is true with our story.
Hi, nice blog you have here! I am now a follower. Thanks for visiting my site Creative Views. Do drop by from time to time and follow if you please.
As for stakes, it really makes for great character build-up. Motivations and the like. Resolving those stakes is what makes the story really come alive.
Stakes are important, and my struggle with my current WIP is making the stakes high but believable. Nothing turns me off from completing a story than when the stakes seem artificed, much like those speedbumps placed in silly places. Thrill is good, but not for thrill's sake alone. Start a novel with a heinous and graphic event with the story then petering out, and that story goes to the recycle bin.
Good post. Peace, Linda
Heartnet - Welcome to the New Author community. Feel free to mingle, everyone is nice here. I will be visiting your site again in the near future. You are spot on when it comes to stakes.
Linda - We do walk a fine line between good tension and something that is to unbelievable. It needs to flow and add to your story.
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