50 Big Realizations For Your Characters

6 Tricks to Layer on Stakes

Every great story has stakes–things that are at risk throughout the plot. It might be that the protagonist’s life is at risk, or perhaps a romantic relationship, or maybe the opportunity to go on a long-awaited trip. Years ago, I had a hard time understanding stakes, and I think it was in part because they were often defined vaguely. Everything clicked when I realized that they are really potential consequences, which is how I prefer to define them now.

Stakes are significant events that could happen, and they include a sense of cause and effect. Typically, you can fit stakes into an “if … then … ” statement (even if it’s not literally written as one in the text):

“If I don’t defeat [the antagonist], then he’ll hurt my family.”“If you become a vampire, then the only thing you’ll love is blood.”“If we don’t fight back, then he’ll take all our land, our homes, our lives we built.” “If we don’t keep moving, then dehydration will kill us.”

Great stakes are closely related to tension, suspense, and hooks. All three get the audience to look forward and anticipate what could happen, usually by getting the audience to hope or fear a potential consequence. The audience then has to keep reading to discover the actual outcome.

All easier said than done. For many writers, stakes can be difficult to get on the page specifically because they require the writer to brainstorm possible, future outcomes–some of which may not actually happen.

For example, say your characters are stranded in a desert. They decide if they don’t keep moving, they could die of dehydration. But perhaps, in reality, it turns out if they had stayed put, they would have been rescued. Stakes aren’t always about what actually happens. Remember, they are about risk.

In a page-turner of a story, you’ll want to brainstorm and put in much more stakes, or potential consequences, in the text than what actually happens. For some of us, it’s hard to brainstorm enough of those, so here are some tricks.

1. Look at both positive and negative potential consequences.

When it comes to stakes, we often focus on the negative … because that is what is at risk.

“If [the protagonist] doesn’t defeat [the antagonist], [the antagonist] will take over the world.”

But putting positive outcomes on the page can sometimes be just as effective.

“If Samantha can nail this audition, then she can finally star in a movie.”

In this example, a positive potential consequence is what is at risk. Sure, we could change it to a negative–if she doesn’t nail the audition, she can’t star in a movie.

But the exercise of looking at both positive and negative potential consequences can help you brainstorm new ones. After all, if we were only looking at the negative, we may not have come up with “starring in a movie.”

2. Add to the cause-and-effect trajectory

Once you have one stake on the page, you can often add more to it, by taking the cause-and-effect trajectory out further. Suzanne Collins does this well in the opening of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.

If the protagonist can’t eat cabbage soup, then he can’t get his stomach to stop growling (consequence #1), which means people will realize he’s poor, not rich (consequence #2), which means his reputation will be ruined (consequence #3), which means he’ll lose his opportunity to be a mentor through his school program (consequence #4), which means he’ll unlikely be able to meet the credentials needed for college (consequence #5), which means his family won’t be taken care of (consequence #6), which means his cousin might have to succumb to prostitution (consequence #7).

Whew, that’s a lot that hinges on making cabbage soup. Suddenly finding out whether or not the cabbage soup is going to work feels way more important!

You don’t have to take it out that far, but hopefully you get the idea.

3. Consider broad potential consequences

Another helpful approach is to look at how a potential consequence can have broader ramifications.

This works even with personal matters.

“If Jasper doesn’t return Emily’s love with a proposal, her descendants may be doomed to live in poverty.”

Here, something personal, love, has been broadened to include a family line–all of Emily’s children.

“If George doesn’t get to water, he could die of dehydration, which means his evil uncle could take the throne.”

In this example, the protagonist’s possible death affects a whole kingdom.

4. Consider personal potential consequences

A reverse of the previous is to look at ways to make potential outcomes more personal.

“If I don’t defeat the antagonist, he’ll take over the world–my mom, dad, Frankie, my entire hometown won’t survive.”

Here we move from a broad problem to a personal risk.

5. Pull in other cause-and-effect trajectories

In most stories, there are multiple cause-and-effect trajectories at work–this is what makes up the plot. There might be a primary plot, a secondary plot, tertiary plot, etc. There might be cause-and-effect trajectories that only last for several chapters or less.

One way to brainstorm more stakes, is to try to connect the current situation to an indirect stake.

For example, say in one plotline, the protagonist is concerned about training her dog. In another plotline, she’s concerned about getting her love interest to take notice of her. They may seem pretty unrelated, but you can look for ways to make them connect. If she can’t get her dog trained, then Fido might decide to try to chase after the love interest’s car–earning her the wrong kind of attention.

6. Look at perceived threats

Sometimes a perceived risk can also work well. Meaning, the character thinks something is at risk, when it actually isn’t. Multiple times in the Harry Potter series, Harry is at risk of being killed or expelled, but since we know there are more books in the series, we can surmise that he won’t be … at least not until near the end, probably.

Or perhaps you are writing about a child who thinks if she lies to her teacher, she’ll go to jail. This is obviously not true, but to her, it’s a possibility.

When perceived threats are written well, it can often feel as if they are real, even when the audience knows they aren’t. This can be effective to layer on (and is better than nothing), but needs to be mixed up with the others, as its often not as powerful.

With these six approaches, you should be armed to brainstorm more, significant stakes. To learn more about stakes, you can read my other article on them here: How to Write Stakes in Storytelling.

Writing prompt.

During career day a child announces that he would like to grow up to be a supervillain, shocking everyone.

He is from the family of the most powerful super heroes.

Funny dialogue prompts. ( AKA crackhead stuff I've heard from those around me)

There's so much sexual tension between you two that it's enough to power the city for generations. So shut up and confess already. You love, A

Is that a lion driving a truck?! Shut up, dude, you're just high.

You wanna fight asshole?! I have enough titties to beat you !

I'm not cute! I'm hot and sexy. At least that's how I try to be but he still doesn't stop calling me cute!!

What letter comes before A? I swear it's on the tip of my tongue...

You know, sometimes I'm so sexy,it scares me .

You're as stupid as Einstein! Einstein was a genius,you fool.

Of course, I love you baby. But not as much as food.

Have you ever been horny for food?

I never said I hated A, I mean he's so cute I wanna bury him in my backyard .

I want a hug! But don't touch me.

Are you a boob person or a butt person? I prefer the bones .

Truth or dare ? I prefer the lies.

One a scale of one - to - ten, how high are you? I don't know man, but this rock just gave me a prophecy.

Is that a... Fish in your pocket ?

You forgot the ice cream again?! See? This is exactly why we divorced!! We're siblings,you drunk ass!

I'm not drunk ! I'm moderately functioning!

Mom,is there any way I can disown [ name] ?. No, honey,you can't disown your own sibling.

If you're gonna die then at least give me your WiFi password.

SENSUAL BITING  &  LICKING PROMPTS as always,  feel free to switch around sender and receiver as needed. 

1)  for sender to lick receiver’s lips before kissing them. 

2)  for sender to bite receiver’s lip before kissing them. 

3)  for sender to lick receiver’s throat. 

4)  for sender to bite receiver’s throat. 

5)  for sender to lick up from receiver’s throat to their chin and then their lips. 

6)  for sender to lick right where receiver’s earlobe meets their jaw. 

7)  for sender to bite receiver’s earlobe. 

8)  for sender to put receiver’s fingers in their mouth,  licking and sucking suggestively. 

9)  for sender to bite receiver’s inner wrist. 

10)  for sender to bite the side of receiver’s neck then lick the mark left behind. 

11)  for sender to bite the inside of receiver’s thigh and then lick the mark left behind. 

12)  for sender to lick the inside of receiver’s thigh to tease them. 

13)  for sender to bite and lick at receiver’s jaw. 

14)  for sender to teasingly lick receiver’s cheek. 

15)  for sender to lick receiver’s cheek in a possessive and lustful way. 

16)  for sender to lick and suck receiver’s nipples. 

17)  for sender to bite receiver’s nipple. 

18)  for sender to bite and then lick receiver’s nipples. 

19)  for sender to bite receiver’s chest/breasts and then lick the marks left behind. 

20)  for sender to bite receiver’s stomach and then lick the mark left behind. 

21)  for sender to leave several bite marks on receiver’s belly. 

22)  for sender to lick at receiver’s navel. 

23)  for sender to bite at receiver’s navel and then lick it. 

24)  for sender to bite along receiver’s hips. 

25)  for sender to lick from receiver’s hip to their navel. 

26)  for sender to lick between receiver’s breasts/pecs. 

27)  for sender to lick along one of receiver’s collarbones. 

28)  for sender to bite and lick at the edge of receiver’s ear. 

29)  for sender to bite at receiver’s ass and then lick the marks left behind. 

30)  for sender to lick along receiver’s spine. 

Omg omg could you please do prompts for the sleeping in each other’s arms ?? Maybe even some dialogue prompts for inspiration?? I might include it in my story! I love the idea

omg... let me just... *cracks knuckles* 

HERE IS PROMPTS FOR YOU since I’ve already done a prompt list like this before and it basically covers everything I would have included here

soft things fictional couples do when going to sleep + writing prompts

and here’s some dialogue prompts: 

“I feel safe in your arms. i always have.”

if they’re stargazing, falling asleep in each other’s arms is,,, unmatched

“i can tell you’re tired.” ‘’it’s okay. i’d rather be here with you.’’

‘‘i could get used to this.’‘ 

''are you awake?'' ''depends who's asking''

''there's no other way i'd rather spend my time.''

character A says ‘’i’m not going to fall asleep’’ only to fall asleep, character B smiles, kisses their forehead, carries them into the bedroom, whispering ‘’i love you.’’ as they tuck character A into bed 

“i’ll easily fall asleep before you.’’ 

''are you sleeping?'' *muffled groan, and definitely half-asleep* ''nooooo...''

''you're cute when you're tired.

''i’m just laying here, listening to your heartbeat as i fall asleep.''

‘‘i could stay like this forever.’‘

‘‘i love you.’‘ ‘‘more than you love [favorite food/sport/hobby/idol]?’‘ ‘’not even close.’‘

‘‘i can’t wait to wake up tomorrow and kiss you good morning.’‘ 

‘‘maybe i’ll just lay here and stare at you all night.’’ ‘’...please don’t do that.’’ 

‘‘my mornings are better with you around.’‘ 

‘‘you’re on breakfast duty tomorrow.’‘

''you're by far the softest person i've ever slept with.''

death prompts that tore my heart apart:

(feel free to use<3 tw/mentions of blood! @urfriendlywriter yall.. 18th to 25th ones</3 tag me when yall write, i wanna read!!)

cradling them into your arms, blood smearing all over you

^ they try to smile, followed by an immediate hiss

"it hurts, huh."

"shh, it's gonna be fine. please keep talking." "i can't.. t-talk-"

their blood smudged hand reach for your cheek. eyes trying to focus on you

"i.. love you."

"this is not your fault."

"i can't.. *tearing up* i can't feel your touch."

eyes tearing up, not knowing what to tell you

"it hurts so much, it's so.." frustrated tears flow because there's nothing they can do now

"please don't leave me.." "i want to rest, my love."

hugging them, saying something to them and then panicking, when they don't respond. (bonus points if one said i love you and the other died right after hearing it!!)

wincing between every word.

"I'm- so...so sorry."

"You're my heaven o-on earth, did you k-know that? :)" followed my an attempt at a smile that shreds you apart.

constant shortness of breath.

they take your hand and kiss it, griping it tight. it's when their grip loosens, you know...

"You've to live your life, [name]. You need to survive, and move on, and-and be.. happy. The happiest. just like i am now."

^ "why are you happy--now?" "because i get to die in your arms. the safest place.."

noticing a tear rush down their cheek after they've closed their eyes.

"no, no-no, fuck, [name], don't give up on me like that, please-please.. stay.."

"I'm gonna get you--" "no, no, no.. no don't. don't l-leave me alone, [name]. I can't br-breathe..."

"let go of me, love, I'm gonna sleep now."

lying near their cold unmoving body.

^ holding their limb hand, praying that this is all a nightmare and then you can wake up to their cheerful self. stupid hope.

Smut prompts . Pt 1

" god... You're so beautiful "

" Tell me how hard you want it "

" Are you ready , baby ?"

" N- not so rough ..."

" don't leave too many marks "

" I'm gonna paint your body with my marks "

" want me ,baby "

" you look like you want to touch me ."

" I need you to touch me "

" touch me ..."

" I love that . You're so ,so incredible "

"God ... You're amazing."

" oh baby , you're so eager hm ?"

" take it off . Slowly "

" don't hide that beautiful face " . I want to see you "

" don't hold back "

Mmm... now you're talking.

" Tell me how you want it "

" I love the way you feel "

" I'm gonna break you tonight ."

" Closer please... Closer "

" look me in the eyes while you do it "

" I'm not going be gentle this time "

" I feel strange...but it's so good..."

" I love the way you taste "

" you have a lovely voice , baby "

" like what you see ?"

" you want it rough huh ?"

" call me that , one more time "

" say it again "

" I can't take it anymore . Stop teasing me "

" d-don't tease me..."

" let me make you feel good ".

" No... Don't stop "

" do you want me to continue "

"you know I love that "

" let's get a little kinky "

" Your body deserves to be worshipped ."

" Your body deserves to be treated with tenderness"

" I love your body ".

" you're so soft . "

" You like that huh ? "

" I want you..."

" I need you... please..."

" I really , really want you "

" I know what you like "

" I want to hear you , baby "

" these walls are sound proof. You don't need to hold back. "

" be a good girl and let me take care of you"

" God , you're turning me on "

50 INTERESTING WAYS TO BEGIN A STORY.

I am well aware of the turmoil of finding a gripping story beginning. God the pain! So I present to you prompts to help y'all hook the readers !

The arrival of a letter or email or package. ( Whether the contents is good / bad depends on you )

The text of a letter / email/ diary. ( You might wanna dive right into what it says and let the reader learn about the character reading )

An invitation to join a club / attend a party / to do something shocking.

A death of a character.

The main character is in a frustrating situation. ( This can quickly help readers to empathize right away )

A main character is in an awkward situation.

An escape from a boring meeting or prison or someplace unwanted .

Someone discovers a dead body.

A funeral is held for someone in the family / the community.

The beginning or the middle of a disaster. ( a bombing , a plane crash, an Apocalypse.? Anything really)

A birth.

The aftermath of a disaster.

A character does something which will be discovered later. Eg; sneaks a love note into someone's possession, poisons the wine, plants a bomb in a car, etc.

A game or contest.

A kiss.

A performance or the conclusion of one.

One character rescues another.

A main character declares he is in big trouble.

A main character is clearly in big trouble.

A main character is in the hospital.

A main character sees a house or city for the first time.

A plane/ ship/ train arrives. ( Your OC might be on board or watching it. If they're on board, you can take the readers on a journey)

Someone gets amazing news.

Someone gets devastating news.

Someone goes on a date.

A scene at a party/bar / nightclub.

A fight scene. ( OC may be participating or watching the fight )

An all-out battle scene.

A character moves to a new place

A dramatic moment in the middle of the end of the story. ( You can decide to start like this and backtrack to show how they got there )

Someone is arrested.

A courtroom trail.

A job interview. ( This helps the story start with the main character being vulnerable and the readers can empathize with them while getting to know them through their inner monologue )

The main character gets fired from their job. ( A nice method for instant empathy)

A chase scene. ( Nothing better to pull the reader than a little action. Hehe ~)

Character or characters wait for another. Maybe an ambush or a surprise party.

A busy street scene.

A character/characters getting ready for an event. Eg; getting dressed, put on makeup, shaved, do their hair .etc

A visitor shows up at the door. ( a stray cat? A future love interest? Someone your character dislikes? Etc )

A character commits a crime.

A character witnesses a crime.

Characters or a character do a job.

One character teaches another how to do something.

Character or characters preparing to dit down at a meal

A character comes across a significant object. ( probably a magical object? A dangerous object like a gun? It could be anything. )

Someone teaches or attends a class.

Your main character discovers something shocking in the possession of their loved one. For example, imagine them discovering a gun / a suicide note, a bloody knife, or clothing, a large amount of hidden money, very disturbing photos, etc )

Your character running away from something or someone dangerous / deadly.

Your main character waking up in an unfamiliar place. ( A nice method to start with a little mystery. Spicy Bonus points: they don't remember how they got there in the first place. Or better yet AMNESIA!! There are many ways to get around it.)

50. Your character being followed. Or they're the one following someone)

Dialogue / otp prompt !

A comes to the kitchen / dinning table and sees B aggressively / angrily stabbing their food with a fork. (Because B is pissed at something / had a bad day ? )

A: ...what are you doing ?

B: Can't you see I'm forking the food ?!

A... laughs .

B : glares and points the fork at A . Stop laughing .. - Or I'll fork you too !

A: snickers and smirks. Oh yeah? I'll like to see you try.

* Based on a true incident of mine * lol . Thought it'd be a good prompt for y'all.

Friends to lovers prompts:

Being cast as the main characters in a school play and having to perform a romantic confession scene together. You're okay with it since it's your friend playing the love interest, and they (probably) don't mean it anyway. But when they start acting it out, it almost feels real. Once the scene has ended, you realize how much you wished it was

Or being the one who has to act out the confession to your friend (who you've been crushing on for years) and trying so hard to not faint from embarrassment

Calling each other by nicknames

Accidentally confessing to each other while laughing over something

Being separated from each other for sometime and realising how much you miss the other's presence

Sharing a book and reading it together in a library, when your friend rests their head on your shoulder. It's been a common thing for years, so why has this fuzzy feeling taken over you all of a sudden?

Drawing small doodles in each other's notebooks, when one day your friend writes 'I like you'

Helping your friend move to another place, coming across the teddy bear you gave them ages ago

Sharing the most awkward first kiss ever, but becoming better at it by the second try

Telling their friends about their relationship, only to be surprised by the fact that they already knew and placed a bet on when they'd get together

Proposing at the same place where they first met as kids