Are Your Story Stakes Strong Enough? Tips from a Developmental Editor

Ever wonder what are stakes in fiction and how to build tension in a scene? Rebecca discusses things like character-driven conflict, high-stakes storytelling and much more as us writers learn how to edit our book ourselves. In this high-impact episode of 52-Week Story Savvy, editor Rebecca Hartwell [hartboundediting.com] and guest host standing in for Christine Nicholas aspiring author Agnes Wolfe [authorsalcove.com] break down the crucial role of stakes in storytelling—and how to raise them without losing reader trust.
Together, they define what stakes really are (hint: it's not always life or death!) and how to weave them seamlessly into your plot using tools like Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and stakes spectrums. You’ll discover how to analyze global and chapter-level stakes, keep scenes engaging, and avoid common missteps like artificial plot twists and inconsistent tension.
Whether you're writing a slow-burn fantasy, a fast-paced thriller, or character-driven fiction, this episode will help you pinpoint what your characters stand to lose—and why it matters.
In This Episode:
The difference between goals, motivations, and stakes
Using Maslow’s Hierarchy to layer character needs
Chapter-by-chapter vs. global stakes
Varying stakes to avoid a flat narrative
Literal, figurative, and internal life-or-death spectrums
How to escalate stakes without breaking believability
Why readers must understand the stakes by the midpoint
A self-editing checklist for testing stakes scene by scene
Recommended Resources:
Developmental Editing Services – [https://hartboundediting.com]
Authors’ Alcove Membership Site – [http://authorsalcove.com]
Book Giveaway – [http://authorsalcove.org]
Story Grid – https://storygrid.com
Save the Cat – https://savethecat.com
Wired for Story by Lisa Cron
[00:00] Intro
[01:07] Defining Stakes in Storytelling
[03:07] Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and Stakes
[04:10] Chapter vs. Global Stakes
[06:05] Variety in Stakes
[07:59] Identifying and Strengthening Stakes
[09:01] Types of Stakes Beyond Life and Death
[14:14] Exploring Internal and External Stakes
[16:21] Assessing the Power of Stakes
[19:00] Establishing Stakes Without Death
[21:05] Grounding Stakes in the Narrative
[23:01] Raising Stakes Gradually
[26:37] Determining Global Success or Failure
[28:01] Timing the Revelation of Stakes