Make sure characters can't walk away

Want to learn how to raise the stakes in a story? Are you eager to keep your readers on the edge of their seats? If you’ve ever worried that your story is too quiet, The Novelry editor Josie Humber and coach Kate Riordan break down five powerful techniques to raise the stakes and make your story impossible to put down! In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to make it impossible for your character to avoid the situation, forcing them to confront their fears.  

• Why introducing a compelling antagonist can elevate conflict and tension.  

• The secret to adding emotional stakes that resonate with readers and make them care deeply.  

• How to create an unlikely hero who rises to the challenge in unexpected ways.  

• The impact of a ticking time bomb creates urgency and keeps the plot moving.  

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction

02:35 - Tip #1: Make Sure They Can’t Walk Away

06:20 - Tip #2: Introduce an Antagonist 

09:09 - Tip #3: Emotional Stakes

13:32 - Tip #4: Create an Unlikely Hero

18:19 - Tip #5: Add a Ticking Time Bomb

Guest Bios

Kate Riordan

The Novelry writing coach Kate Riordan is the bestselling author of seven novels, including The Heatwave. Her historical novel The Girl in the Photograph was a Sunday Times bestseller. Kate’s two other historical novels—The Shadow Hour and The Stranger, a Red magazine Top Ten choice of that year—are also published by Penguin. Kate wrote the novelization of Sanditon, ITV’s historical drama series based on Jane Austen’s unfinished manuscript. She also writes thrillers as Katherine Fleet; her latest, The Liars, has garnered praise from Sarah Pearse, Daisy Buchanan, and Lucy Clarke. 

Josie Humber

The Novelry editor Josie Humber was a Senior Commissioning Editor at Hodder & Stoughton (Hachette), home to authors including Jodi Picoult, Stephen King, and David Nicholls. She began her publishing career at Transworld (Penguin Random House) before moving to Mantle (Macmillan). Josie worked with a mixture of bestselling brand authors. At Hodder & Stoughton, Josie worked on the commercial and literary fiction lists, covering historical fiction, crime, thrillers, women’s fiction, and upmarket novels with prize-winning potential.

Resources

Check out these blog posts for more insight on how to write a compelling story:

How to Raise the Stakes in Your Story

The Novelry on Writing Podcast: 5 Secrets to Page-Turning Stories

Weaving the Plot: How to Write a Brilliant Subplot

▶️ On YouTube: https://youtu.be/s7HpTUg5kC8

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Show description

Learn how novels work from publishing’s top experts at The Novelry, the world’s #1 school for writers. Hosted by our bestselling writing coaches and publishing editors, this podcast is a practical, helpful guide to writing novels for every genre. Enjoy inside tips and tricks to make your writing a joyful experience while building your expertise in writing craft.

There is always something to learn at The Novelry, the world’s top-rated fiction writing school with more 5* reviews from writers than any other creative writing course.