• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About
    • About WHW
    • Press Kit
    • Resident Writing Coaches
    • Contact Us
    • Podcasts & Interviews
    • Master Storytelling Newsletter
    • Guest Post Guidelines
    • Privacy Policy
    • Charities & Support
  • Bookstore
    • Bookstore
    • Foreign Editions
    • Book Reviews
    • Free Thesaurus Sampler
  • Blog
  • Software
  • Workshops
  • Resources
    • List of Resources
    • Recommended Writing Books
    • WHW Descriptive Thesaurus Collection
    • Free Tools & Worksheets
    • Free Show-Dont-Tell Pro Pack
  • WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®
WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®

WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®

Helping writers become bestselling authors

The Seven Deadly Sins of Novel Writing: Low Stakes

Published: December 14, 2009 by ANGELA ACKERMAN

In my mind, there are seven big things that can undermine a novel. I want to address them all, but to avoid having a post 8 miles long, I’ll break them up so they each have their own real estate. Today let’s look at the first sin on the list!

Sin#1: Low Stakes

Stakes are paramount in a novel–they force your character to act. High personal stakes create strong conflict because each choice or action will carry a hefty price. Low stakes lead to mediocre conflict and a risk that the reader will not care about the outcome.

Often low stakes can be attributed to two things:

–the storyline lacks adequate conflict

Conflict is the key to holding the reader’s attention and the driving force behind forward story movement and character investment. Pushing your character to clash with the forces against him or her is what gets the blood pumping–this is conflict! By infusing your story with scenes where characters experience heightened emotion and face powerful obstacles you not only create high stakes in your novel, you also raise them for the reader. Pages turn because your audience is drawn into the action, compelled to find out what happens next.

–The writer doesn’t push the characters hard enough

Sometimes the stakes are high, the consequences dire, the action bursting off the page…and the character does not rise to the challenge. While indecision is often a large part of any thought process when facing difficult choices, it cannot overrun the character’s actions. At some point, the character MUST COMMIT to a chosen course and put their all into it.

Other times, the writer sabotages the story because they care too much about a character to shove them in harm’s way or force them to do the dirty work. If circumstances or another character always swoop in and save the day, the stakes flatline. CHARACTERS ARE NOT OUR CHILDREN. Never hesitate to throw them into the path of a bus. Only then can we really see what they are made of.

Can you think of other ways low stakes ruin a novel? Have you ever cared about a character so much you struggled to force them to face their fears?

Sin # 2 Counterfeit Characters
Sin # 3 Missing the Mark on Voice & POV
Sin # 4 Plot Snafus
Sin # 5 Flat Wordsmithing
Sin # 6 Dialogue Disaster
Sin # 7 TMI (Too Much Information)
BONUS SIN  Disappointing the Reader

ANGELA ACKERMAN
ANGELA ACKERMAN

Angela is a writing coach, international speaker, and bestselling author who loves to travel, teach, empower writers, and pay-it-forward. She also is a founder of One Stop For Writers, a portal to powerful, innovative tools to help writers elevate their storytelling.

Share this:

  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • More
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print

Related

Filed Under: Characters, Description, Editing Tips, Seven Writing Sins

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. sjp says

    November 6, 2013 at 4:19 am

    I love pushing my characters and finding out what they’re made of 😉 looks like a stellar list looking forward to the next installments.

  2. Ana'Gia Wright says

    August 6, 2013 at 2:06 pm

    Whenever I start to write my favorite phrase is “now how do I make this worse for my character” It is the cornerstone of most of my writing. I rarely find myself in a corner because there is always a way to make things worse. The down side to that is that there is always a way to make things worse. It is the pulling back from that and finding an ending that is the greatest challenge of them all.

    Great article. Keep them coming.

  3. Merc says

    September 6, 2011 at 8:33 pm

    Nice post, Angela! 😀

    (I don’t think I’ve ever really had trouble being nasty to characters… *cough* but showing why stakes are important to individual characters is, I admit, a struggling point.)

    Looking forward to the next six. 😉

    –Merc

  4. Charlie Pulsipher says

    September 6, 2011 at 5:27 pm

    Hot topic. I agree completely, placing the destruction of not one, but two universes on my characters’ shoulders. It’s fun to watch them squirm and then conquer.

  5. Angela Ackerman says

    May 5, 2011 at 12:06 pm

    Thanks so much, Lisa and everyone. I’m happy this is useful to you. 🙂

    Angela

  6. Lisa Gail Green says

    May 4, 2011 at 3:43 pm

    Such an excellent post. Of course I expect no less from you. Yes. My poor characters would most likely kill me if they ever escaped the pages. A frightening thought. But truly I do it for their own good. ;D

  7. C. L. Mac Neil says

    May 3, 2011 at 5:36 pm

    Excellent advice!! Looking forward to getting through the rest of the sins!

  8. Victoria Dixon says

    February 9, 2010 at 7:01 pm

    This was a marvelous series! Thank you so much for the description of Voice. I think you defined it in a way I can finally internalize.

  9. Mary Witzl says

    December 20, 2009 at 3:12 pm

    My God, I’ve been guilty of every single one of these sins! Often, it’s reading another novel which has made me see the error of my ways. Last year, I got a quarter of the way through a novel where all the characters liked each other and got on beautifully; their way was tough, but they never faltered, never found any obstacles that weren’t easy to overcome. I got so bored I finally stopped reading, and I almost never do that.

    “My characters aren’t my children.” (Repeating that like a mantra…)

  10. Angela says

    December 18, 2009 at 12:41 am

    Gayle, thanks so much!

  11. Angela says

    December 18, 2009 at 12:40 am

    Ray, I like that–it’s so true.

    Natalie, yes I think stakes can be too high. The two situations that come to mind would be insurmountable stakes that leave the character with no realistic options, and no hope. There’s no where for the story to go, because the stakes paralyze all action.

    The second would be when the stakes are too high to be real or tangible to the reader. Stakes are of no use if the reader doesn’t believe in them. Stakes must always fit the story and stay within the realm of possibility for the world & characters that the writer has built.

  12. Gayle C. Krause says

    December 15, 2009 at 9:36 pm

    Great advice, Angela. Looking forward to the rest.

  13. Nathalie Mvondo says

    December 15, 2009 at 6:56 pm

    Angela, thanks for telling it like it is. 😀 I am enlightened by the post and already scrutinizing my work, chasing after all the low stakes I can find. I’m smiling at the idea of going over the top the other way around.

    My question is: can stakes ever be too high?

    I look forward to learning about the other sins! (Never thought I would write that one day, lol)

  14. Ray says

    December 15, 2009 at 3:30 pm

    Wow

    I’m so glad I came across this post and like everyone else I love the children and bus quote.
    I once heard an author say something similar about violence in a story. It has to really hurt, there’s no use writing in half measures. Look forward to the other six deadly sins.

    Ray

  15. Angela says

    December 15, 2009 at 12:08 pm

    Holy smokes–I guess this post was a hot topic with writers!

    Anna–I really like your comment about personal stakes VS world stakes. I think this is a key of high stakes–they MUST be personal.

    Yuna, I think its from hanging with Merc. LOL

    Terry, Thanks! I thought this was the perfect pic to show stakes and consequences!

    Keri, I’m like you–sometimes I throw too much at them and then need to scale back, chosing what events and conditions create the biggest impact.

    Casey, I think that anyone wondering if they nailed the right focus of their novel should look at stakes. The stakes are what can make or break a story because it ties the plot to the character–it makes them have a stake in what’s happening, which in turn makes the reader care.

    Harvey, I LOVE that quote!!

    Bish, Thanks so much!

    Sandy, pushing is the key. Go for it!

    Karen, Thanks!

    Tricia, sometimes it’s all about making our characters do what we don’t want them to do. Go for it and good luck!

    Shannon, that’s a great example. Not that characters always need to be put in mortal danger to have high stakes. If their desires/needs/goals are clear and concise, then the high stakes can corespond to them and we’ll believe in the cost/consequence ratio.

    Elle, yes the protags must suffer. And strive. Whatever they want cannot be easy to get–that’s the key.

    PJ, sometimes characters need to die, but not always. It’s all about the story. Sometimes death is an easier way out as well–it’s an end to the strife and pain, and there is no chance for redemption. I think a person needs to weigh the decision to kill people off and make sure it fits. And if a character is killed off, it’s important the writer has done their job to make sure the readers care about them to make sure the death has the greatest impact on more than just the POV character.

    LOL Martha. That would be cruel indeed. 🙂

    Vijaya, that’s what revision is all about, right? We can transpose our suffering through rewrites into the story to make sure the character suffers too. *evil laughter*

    Erica, that’s an interesting comment. So you make the women suffer more because you connect better with the males, or are the women left with the aftermath of the male’s sufferings?

    Blee, I’ve often found a string connection with a secondary character and had to ‘tone them down’. I try to put that connection aside tho and revive aspects of it in another MC in another book down the road.

    Beth. The precious is never wrong. Just make the stakes personal and you’ll have it!

    Catherine, so glad the post helps!

    Elana, I’m getting a bad image here, knowing what your day job is, LOL!

    Hazardgal, nothing like a good axe I say. Especially if zombies are involved. 🙂

    LM, but this is why we write, yes? We play God, for good and evil. Happy cackling!

    Laurel, motivation will be included in another sin post, I promise! I know where you’re coming from, worrying about melodrama. I worry about it too…which is why crit partners are soooo valuable. They’ll give me a slap upside the head if needed. 🙂

  16. laurel says

    December 15, 2009 at 10:48 am

    Fear of crossing into that dangerous territory of melodrama sometimes makes me back off turning up the heat for my characters. I hope you’ll discuss motivation and how that relates to stakes in an upcoming post. It’s a struggle to get it right, so all tips are most urgently sought!

  17. LM Preston says

    December 15, 2009 at 10:23 am

    I personally get a kick out of thinking up all the horrible things that I can do to my characters. Sometimes, I have to stop myself…heeeehaaaa…whaahhaa (sinister laughter).

  18. Hazardgal says

    December 15, 2009 at 8:42 am

    Thanks again for your writing Rx. Now in part two of my novel, I need to sharpen my ax. I tend to have characters wage mental wars not physical ones. Too many ploughshares can make a book flatline! Again, thanks.

  19. ElanaJ says

    December 14, 2009 at 10:32 pm

    This is a great, great post. I’m bookmarking it so I can come back to it and remind myself to throw that child under the bus.

  20. Catherine A. Winn says

    December 14, 2009 at 10:20 pm

    This post was an excellent reminder of what to look out for. Sometimes I get a little too complacent and then wondere why something’s not working. And I love the photo!!!!

  21. Beth says

    December 14, 2009 at 8:04 pm

    Am I evil because I love to torture characters?

    My problem is revealing what exactly the stakes are. My characters are running around, trying not to get killed, but they have no idea why.

    *has mini light bulb switch on* Aha! (Don’t you just love that word?) I just remembered a lost plot thread. Yes, Precioussss, we will weave it in better during rewrites. Yessss.

  22. Blee Bonn says

    December 14, 2009 at 7:42 pm

    Awesome post! I had to “kill” off a character because of letting him do to much for the main character plus he was stealing the spotlight. He is so darn cute though so I think he will be coming back but I had to get him out of the way for awhile. 🙂

  23. Erica says

    December 14, 2009 at 6:38 pm

    Great post! Can’t wait to read the other 6!
    You’ve really covered Sin #1 very well. I don’t really have anything to add :o)

    I never have any problem pushing mine in front of the proverbial bus, however, I do connect more with the male characters in my novel, so the girls get the brunt of the conflict thrust upon them. They are the MC’s after all :o)

    Great post.

  24. Vijaya says

    December 14, 2009 at 6:20 pm

    Sins capture our interest … great topic and great post. I look forward to reading them all … because I’m sure to commit them all. I confess I am too nice to my characters on the first pass.

  25. Martha Brockenbrough says

    December 14, 2009 at 6:04 pm

    I read “path of the bus” as “the bath of pus.” Please don’t make me throw my characters into one of those.

  26. PJ Hoover says

    December 14, 2009 at 5:28 pm

    Great post! I struggle but then when I do, I know it means it’s the right thing to do.
    Kill off the characters. Right?

  27. Elle Strauss says

    December 14, 2009 at 5:18 pm

    Love the pic!

    Can’t wait to find out about the other six sins I’m sure to have committed.

    must make protag suffer, must make protag suffer….

  28. Elle Strauss says

    December 14, 2009 at 5:11 pm

    I also really love the pic!

    I too, look forward to the other six sins I’m sure to have committed.

    must make protag suffer, must make protag suffer….

  29. Shannon O'Donnell says

    December 14, 2009 at 4:04 pm

    It sounds like I’m not the only one who absolutely loved this post. As hard as it may be for us, this is critical advice.

    I think J. K. Rowling has already mastered the best part, though. “CHARACTERS ARE NOT OUR CHILDREN. Never hesitate to throw them in the path of a bus.” Oh, so that’s why Dumbledore had to die! and Hedwig and Lupin and Tonks and…Dobby! *wracking sobs for Dobby* I have to go cry now. 🙁 LOL!

  30. Tricia J. O'Brien says

    December 14, 2009 at 2:08 pm

    Angela, this is most excellent. Can’t wait for the next post.
    It is also timely, because I’m facing a moment of truth for the main character of a new novel I’m writing, and I think I have make her do something that will have a disasterous fallout. I didn’t want to do that, but I think it will vastly increase the stakes.
    Thanks for making me face it, too.

  31. Karen Lange says

    December 14, 2009 at 1:53 pm

    Lots to think about, thank you! I like the “Characters are not our children.” I’ll remember that one! Blessings:)

  32. Sandy Shin says

    December 14, 2009 at 1:45 pm

    “CHARACTERS ARE NOT OUR CHILDREN. Never hesitate to throw them in the path of a bus.”

    That’s so very true! I struggle to raise the stakes sometimes in my own writing, but I am pushing at it! Thank you for such an awesome post. 🙂

  33. Bish Denham says

    December 14, 2009 at 1:43 pm

    Excellent post! I look forward to reading about the other deadly sins.

  34. Harvey Chapman says

    December 14, 2009 at 1:41 pm

    Great post, Angela – looking forward to the rest.

    Your children/bus point reminded me of something John Irving said.

    Can’t remember the precise words, but it was something like: “I don’t search for characters when I write a novel, I search for victims.”

  35. Casey McCormick says

    December 14, 2009 at 1:03 pm

    Great post! I’m having a hard time creating the right stakes in my rewrite, and I know that’s exactly what it needs.

    This is going to be a great series. : )

  36. Keri Mikulski says

    December 14, 2009 at 12:45 pm

    So true..

    I love this part of the process.. Sometimes I throw too much in their way.

  37. TerryLynnJohnson says

    December 14, 2009 at 11:51 am

    Great idea! So clever. My kids love your photo here with the mouse! I look forward to reading the next 6 sins.

  38. Yunaleska says

    December 14, 2009 at 11:23 am

    Is it bad that I automatically think which character I can kill off while I write a novel? For some reason at least one must die in each book…

  39. Anna says

    December 14, 2009 at 11:18 am

    “CHARACTERS ARE NOT OUR CHILDREN. Never hesitate to throw them in the path of the bus.”

    I think this might be my new favorite quote on writing. 🙂 In my own writing I’ve found that sometimes the stakes for the world/society can be high but the personal stakes for the main character might not be as pressing. I’ve been really trying to find a balance between the stakes for my characters and for the world they’re trying to save.

Trackbacks

  1. The Threshold of Redrafting – Rae Else says:
    March 5, 2017 at 10:30 am

    […] https://writershelpingwriters.net/2009/12/the-seven-deadly-sins-of-novel-writing/ […]

  2. The Threshold of Redrafting | raeelse says:
    May 22, 2015 at 6:06 am

    […] https://writershelpingwriters.net/2009/12/the-seven-deadly-sins-of-novel-writing/ […]

  3. The Write Life Presents: The 100 Best Websites for Writers in 2014 says:
    January 14, 2014 at 5:05 am

    […] Post you’ll like: The Seven Deadly Sins of Novel Writing […]

  4. Stepping Out & 7 DEADLY WRITING SINS | WRITERS HELPING WRITERSWRITERS HELPING WRITERS says:
    November 25, 2013 at 11:19 pm

    […] SIN #1: Low Stakes […]

  5. Seven Deadly Sins of Novel Writing, Part II | WRITERS HELPING WRITERSWRITERS HELPING WRITERS says:
    November 25, 2013 at 11:14 pm

    […] the character is more passive than active, why should the reader care about them? Chances are, Sin # 1 has been committed and the stakes are too low. Create a stronger emotional investment to the events […]

  6. 3 Big Problems with Describing Emotions, LINKS & an Update | WRITERS HELPING WRITERS says:
    November 5, 2013 at 9:30 pm

    […] SIN #1: Low Stakes […]

Primary Sidebar


Welcome!

Writing is hard. Angela & Becca make it easier. Get ready to level up your fiction with game-changing tools, resources, and advice.

Subscribe to the Blog

Check your inbox to confirm! If gremlins tried to eat it, you might have to check your spam folder.

Find it Fast

Read by Category

Grab Our Button

Writers Helping Writers

Software that Will Change the Writing Game

One Stop for Writers

Join our Writers Helping Writers Newsletter

NO AI TRAINING: Any use of this content to “train” generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to generate text is expressly prohibited. The legal copyright holder, Writers Helping Writers®, reserves all rights to license uses of this work for generative AI training and development of machine learning language models. WRITERS HELPING WRITERS® · Copyright © 2025 · WEBSITE DESIGN BY LAUGH EAT LEARN

 

Loading Comments...