No matter the genre, stakes are what keep readers turning the page. They create tension, urgency, and investment. If your protagonist doesn’t stand to lose or gain something meaningful, then the audience won’t care what happens next.
But “raising the stakes” doesn’t just mean blowing something up or killing a beloved character. It’s about deepening the consequences and making readers ask: What happens if they fail?
So if you're writing a novel, let's read about 10 powerful ways to raise the stakes in your story and keep your audience hooked from beginning to end.
1. Threaten Something the Character Cares Deeply About
To raise the stakes, make the consequences personal. Don’t just threaten abstract ideas like “failure” or “defeat”, threaten what matters most to your character.
- A loved one’s life
- A dream job or personal ambition
- Their moral integrity
- Their sense of identity or reputation
Example: In The Hunger Games, Katniss isn’t just fighting for survival, she’s fighting to protect her sister and later, to preserve her humanity in a brutal system.
2. Introduce a Ticking Clock
Nothing cranks up tension like a time limit. A ticking clock forces your character to act fast and make tough decisions under pressure.
This can take many forms:
- A bomb set to detonate in 24 hours
- A race to stop a deadly virus
- A deadline before a loved one leaves forever
Tip: Don’t just say “they have 3 days”: show time slipping away in scenes, and use it to push the character to their limits.
3. Increase the Cost of Failure
What happens if the protagonist fails? Make sure the answer isn’t “not much.” Then escalate those consequences as the story progresses.
Start with personal failure, then broaden: they lose their job, then their family falls into poverty, then their community is endangered
Example: In Spider-Man 2, Peter Parker struggles to balance his personal life and superhero duties. Failing to be Spider-Man means the city suffers. But being Spider-Man costs him his relationship and mental health. The stakes are stacked high on all sides.
4. Add Emotional or Psychological Stakes
Not all stakes are external. Sometimes the most devastating consequences are internal.
- Shame
- Guilt
- Losing faith in oneself
- Betraying personal beliefs
Example: In Breaking Bad, Walter White’s transformation costs him his marriage, his son’s trust, and his soul. His decisions lead to emotional collapse even more than physical destruction.
Internal stakes deepen character arcs and make actions feel meaningful.
5. Reveal Hidden Consequences
Sometimes, raising the stakes means pulling back the curtain. Show the character (and reader) that what seemed like a small problem has bigger implications.
- That stolen item? It belongs to a powerful enemy.
- That lie? It’s about to be exposed in a major way.
- That failed mission? It’s going to start a war.
Surprise the character with what’s truly at risk.
6. Introduce a Competing Goal or Dilemma
Force your protagonist to choose between two important things and make sure they can’t have both.
- Save a friend or stop the villain?
- Tell the truth or protect someone’s feelings?
- Take the promotion or stay with family?
This technique introduces moral conflict and makes every choice more meaningful.
Example: In The Dark Knight, Batman must choose between saving Harvey Dent or Rachel. He chooses wrong and the emotional stakes skyrocket.
7. Raise the Stakes for Supporting Characters
If your main character’s personal stakes are already high, increase the tension by endangering those around them. Readers care more when multiple characters are at risk, especially ones they’ve grown to love.
- A mentor sacrifices themselves
- A friend gets caught in the crossfire
- A sidekick’s secret is exposed
Now your protagonist isn’t just trying to survive, they’re trying to save others too.
8. Introduce Irreversible Change
Make the world shift in a way that can’t be undone. This can be a physical event, an emotional betrayal, or a game-changing revelation.
- A city is destroyed
- A best friend becomes an enemy
- A lie is uncovered that changes everything
Permanent consequences give weight to your story’s events and prevent it from feeling like a resettable game.
9. Escalate the Antagonist’s Power or Strategy
Make sure your villain (or opposing force) gets stronger, smarter, or more ruthless as the story progresses. This keeps the protagonist under pressure and prevents the narrative from feeling stagnant.
- The enemy gains control of a powerful weapon
- A spy is discovered in the hero’s circle
-
The mastermind villain turns public opinion against the protagonist
Tip: Make the antagonist adapt and surprise the hero to keep stakes high.
10. Make the Stakes Thematic
Align the stakes with the theme of your story. If your story is about forgiveness, then the ultimate stakes might involve choosing revenge over redemption. If it’s about ambition, the stakes might involve sacrificing love for success.
This not only raises tension but also gives your story emotional and philosophical depth.
Example: In Whiplash, the protagonist risks everything (relationships, mental health, and physical well-being) to become a great musician. The stakes are artistic, emotional, and thematic.
Raising the Stakes Without Losing Control
Raising the stakes is essential, but it needs to feel earned and intentional. Don’t just pile on danger for the sake of shock value. Instead:
- Ground stakes in character motivation
- Build tension gradually
- Make consequences feel real and personal
The more your audience understands what’s at stake, the more they’ll be invested in your story. Stakes are the emotional fuel that drives your narrative forward!
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