Raise the Stakes

Every writer has been given the same advice countless times. In order to grip readers, we must raise the stakes. But what does that mean, and how do we do it?

Story stakes come in three kinds: inner stakes, outer stakes, and personal stakes. The key to raising the stakes is first knowing the difference between the three kinds, and then knowing when to apply each one. And most important of all, knowing that heroes and heroines don't want the stakes raised. They are resisting danger at every t...