Plot is What Happens. Stakes Are Why You Care. Integrate Them and Your Readers Will Be Hooked.
Here's the low down.
Back in the ivory tower days, I ran workshops as part of my creative writing classes. As one does. Not only is workshop feedback massively helpful, but it also showed me where my students had knowledge gaps. Where they instinctually knew something was off, but they couldn’t quite put it into words.
Understanding the stakes, and why they matter even more than plot, was almost like a black hole in their vocabulary. It was something they simply couldn’t articulate. Most of my students would ramp up their plots, add more twists and danger, and still get the same feedback.
If you’re hearing this, you probably have a stakes problem.
There’s a lot going on in this book, but I’m not sure why.
I like this character a lot, but I feel like something’s missing.
But why? Why is the character making this choice? And…?
All of these comments are saying the same thing - give me a reason to invest in this character and this story. They’re asking, what are the stakes if they don’t succeed? Or even if they do.
So… What’s the difference between stakes and plot? First, we’ll talk about the devil we know.
Plot
Plot is external pressure OR Things That Happen
Plot is what drives the story forward, and is almost always comprised of what the character wants and the obstacles that stand in the way of them getting it.
Plot also tests characters and helps contribute widely to their character arc, all because of the stakes of the story. So when readers are saying, Yeah, OK, But WHY? It’s because all they’re seeing is plot point after plot point.
As a plot-driven writer, I say this with my whole chest. Plot is epic, but it’s not worth the paper its printed on if it’s not holding hands with the Stakes.
Stakes
Stakes are internal pressure OR The Costs Associated with the Outcome
If plot is the action, stakes are the consequences. The tradeoffs, the fallout, and the impossible decisions. They’re made up of the sacrifices your character must make in order to advance the plot. The social territory they must traverse in order to succeed.
And without putting your character through some terrible shit, there’s no character arc or satisfying conclusion. But those plot points must test the stakes, and put your character in a position where they must choose between two terrible options.
Imagine Bridgerton. Any season will work. The fair and wildly sought after Bridgerton offspring enters the marriage mart, plucks the diamond from the group, and heads straight to the altar. Yes, we still have the amazing soundtrack and the sumptuous set design and the brilliant casting.
But without the threat of being ruined, or falling into a marriage with someone who may be the diamond of the season but they’re the worst match, or there’s a secret that, if spilled, could cause a massive scandal and ruin the entire family, or class being a seemingly insurmountable obstacle, what’s the effing point? I mean, it’s a gorgeous wedding and all, but…
We would be giving the same feedback.
There’s a lot going on in this show, but I’m not sure why.
I like this character a lot, but I feel like something’s missing.
But why? Why is the character making this choice? And…?
Now, how high you want to make these stakes is up to you. There are 11 types of stakes that always work, and if you want to know more about them and how to deploy them in your work, we’re running a mini retreat on this very subject.
You’ll learn how to diagnose your own work, which stakes might work best for your story, and how to stack them for max effectiveness. There’s even a worksheet. Because of course of there is.
Join our Writing Community Hour over on The Rogue MFA YouTube channel (which meets every other Thursday evening at 4pm PST/ 7pm EST), where we’ll be building routine and community with YOU. Subscribe to get notified.