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Q&A Is there a formula for creating stakes?

Answer: In a case like this, the formula is to use others--your character's relationships with his own past self and/or with those he cares about, to create stakes. Example: He wants to help othe...

posted 5y ago by DPT‭  ·  edited 5y ago by DPT‭

Answer
#4: Post edited by user avatar DPT‭ · 2020-02-20T00:25:24Z (almost 5 years ago)
  • **Answer:** In a case like this, the formula is to use **others**--your character's relationships with his own past self and/or with those he cares about, to create stakes.
  • Example: He wants to help others because if he *fails* to do so, his father will no longer approve of him. How can his father approve of him if he does not do the most simple of mitzvahs? Failing to help others means he risks his relationship with his father. Those are the stakes.
  • Like you, I am a plotter. The formula is to think outside the character. Your character does not exist in a vacuum. Look to the person they care most about. Your character is acting as he is, for *that* person's benefit.
  • HTH.
  • **Answer:** In a case like this, the formula is to use **others**--your character's relationships with his own past self and/or with those he cares about, to create stakes.
  • Example: He wants to help others because if he *fails* to do so, his father will no longer approve of him. How can his father approve of him if he does not do the most simple of mitzvahs? For your character to fail to help others means he risks his relationship with his father.
  • Those are the stakes.
  • Like you, I am a plotter. The formula is to think outside the character. Your character does not exist in a vacuum. Look to the person they care most about. Your character is acting as he is, for *that* person's benefit.
  • HTH.
#3: Post edited by user avatar DPT‭ · 2020-02-20T00:24:49Z (almost 5 years ago)
  • **Answer:** In a case like this, the formula is to use **others**--your character's relationships with his own past self and/or with those he cares about, to create stakes.
  • Example: He wants to help others because if he *fails* to do so, his father will no longer approve of him. How can his father approve of him if he does not do the most simple of mitzvahs? Failing to help others means he risks his relationship with his father. Those are the stakes.
  • Like you, I am a plotter. The formula is to think outside the character. Your character does not exist in a vacuum. Look to the person they care most about. They are acting as they are, for *that* person's benefit.
  • HTH.
  • **Answer:** In a case like this, the formula is to use **others**--your character's relationships with his own past self and/or with those he cares about, to create stakes.
  • Example: He wants to help others because if he *fails* to do so, his father will no longer approve of him. How can his father approve of him if he does not do the most simple of mitzvahs? Failing to help others means he risks his relationship with his father. Those are the stakes.
  • Like you, I am a plotter. The formula is to think outside the character. Your character does not exist in a vacuum. Look to the person they care most about. Your character is acting as he is, for *that* person's benefit.
  • HTH.
#2: Post edited by user avatar DPT‭ · 2020-02-20T00:24:24Z (almost 5 years ago)
  • In a case like this, the formula is to use **others**--his relationships with his past self and those he cares about--to create stakes.
  • He wants to help others because if he fails to do so, his father will no longer approve of him. How can his father approve of him if he does not do the most simple of mitzvahs? Failing to help others means he risks his relationship with his father.
  • Like you, I am a plotter. The formula is to think outside the character. Your character does not exist in a vacuum. Look to the person they care most about. They are acting as they are, for *that* person's benefit.
  • HTH.
  • **Answer:** In a case like this, the formula is to use **others**--your character's relationships with his own past self and/or with those he cares about, to create stakes.
  • Example: He wants to help others because if he *fails* to do so, his father will no longer approve of him. How can his father approve of him if he does not do the most simple of mitzvahs? Failing to help others means he risks his relationship with his father. Those are the stakes.
  • Like you, I am a plotter. The formula is to think outside the character. Your character does not exist in a vacuum. Look to the person they care most about. They are acting as they are, for *that* person's benefit.
  • HTH.
#1: Initial revision by user avatar DPT‭ · 2020-02-20T00:23:23Z (almost 5 years ago)
In a case like this, the formula is to use **others**--his relationships with his past self and those he cares about--to create stakes. 

He wants to help others because if he fails to do so, his father will no longer approve of him. How can his father approve of him if he does not do the most simple of mitzvahs? Failing to help others means he risks his relationship with his father. 

Like you, I am a plotter. The formula is to think outside the character. Your character does not exist in a vacuum. Look to the person they care most about. They are acting as they are, for *that* person's benefit. 

HTH.