Tools for Writing a Good Book: Consequences for Characters
by Mary Kole | Former literary agent, now a freelance editor, writing teacher, and IP/story developer for major publishers and creators.
There are many tools for writing a good book that a writer can use, but one of our favorites is stakes. When crafting a piece of fiction and trying to engage a reader, make sure you are giving your characters consequences. Establishing repercussions for decisions and ramifications for protagonist (and other character) actions are essential to raising the stakes and creating (or elevating) tension. All of these elements come together to create the intersection of plot and character. These are helpful tools for writing a good book, because story tension is what keeps readers flipping pages. To learn more about how to develop high stakes and consequences for characters, keep reading.
Stakes Are Tools for Writing a Good Book
Consequences mean reactions from the larger story world to a character’s actions, whether external events triggered by their choices in the larger plot. Stakes generally lead to conflict and then, eventually, interpersonal developments between the protagonist and other characters. It is critical for what your character does to matter in the story, as this is how you generate story stakes and tension.
For example, if a character has a very strict mother, it’s not enough to just tell the reader that the woman is strict. Instead, you must “show” (show not tell) is one of the most important tools for writing a good book) her way of thinking by establishing consequences for the character. If the protagonist keeps insisting that they’re worried about being caught … but this never actually happens in the plot … readers won’t believe what they’ve been told.
Our favorite tools for writing a good book include making things worse for your protagonist whenever possible. If the character arrives late for curfew, the mother enforces punishment. If there’s back-talk, then the protagonist gets grounded. If they apply to a college Mom doesn’t approve of? Mom goes as far as sabotaging them on the morning of SATs. Think outside the box here and get creative with your stakes—creative real trouble for every character, and some memorable or original ramifications. Specific, unique consequences and obstacles are important tools for writing a good book.
Remember that there must be trouble. If characters act without any consequences or stakes or any reason to care, the reader will become increasingly less invested in the story. The stakes will sink and there will be nothing for anyone to worry about—so why should readers care deeply whenever a character takes a risk or makes a decision?
Tips for Crafting Consequences for Characters
As you design your story and consider which tools for writing a good book you want to use, make sure you are working plenty of ramifications into the story whenever your character makes a big decision or pushes the action forward. When you’re considering tools for writing a good book, remember that they should also be an active protagonist. Writers often threaten trouble, but it never materializes. Let that trouble—and more—find your character instead.
A lot of writers can't help but make things easier on their characters. We all agree that tension and hardship are essential tools for writing a good book, but when it comes to actually making your character experience these consequences, writers get shy. Or nice. But that’s not the writer’s job, no matter how much you like your character!
So start writing suspense and give your characters serious consequences. Once your character takes a risk and faces potential punishment, make sure they suffer whatever is coming to them. Yes, this will impact your plotting overall, but a lot of first novel drafts tend to be lean on plot, so this is a win-win.
Tools for Writing a Good Book: No Pain, No Gain
Readers won't show interest in a story if the characters experience little or no struggle. When a writer does not deliver on the stakes and consequences that they tease, readers will take them less seriously. This can prevent suspense and tension from developing later on in the story, on the approach to your climax, when it is most necessary.
Craft scenes with trouble and stakes and make sure your characters suffer the consequences of their actions. Doing this early and often can hold the reader’s attention when the stakes are high. These tools for writing a good book will keep your reader invested until the last page.
Elevate Your Storytelling
Wherever you are in your writing journey—from an initial outline to a draft to pitching your project—the experienced team at Good Story Editing can take your work to the next level.