Writing Excuses

19.29: A Close Reading on Character: Barriers vs. Stakes

Jul 21, 2024

Explore how character stakes shape barriers in storytelling using C.L. Clarke's short story as an example. Learn to differentiate between barriers and stakes in compressed narratives. Get writing homework to elevate mundane obstacles to life-or-death stakes. Plus, discover new books and projects from the hosts.

22:55

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Quick takeaways

Barriers and stakes in storytelling are intricately interconnected, shaping the character's journey.

Distinguishing between barriers versus stakes is crucial for creating tension and narrative depth.

Utilizing life-or-death stakes can transform mundane obstacles into compelling story elements.

Deep dives

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Intro

2min

Character Barriers vs. Stakes in Storytelling

4min

Exploring Barriers and Stakes in You Perfect Broken Thing

6min

Character Determination, Writing Elements, and Book Recommendation

6min

Exploring Barriers and Stakes in Storytelling through a Climbing Wall Scenario

2min

Exploring Barriers and Stakes in Storytelling

9min

Crafting Engaging Characters through Barriers and Stakes

5min

Our episode today focuses on C.L. Clark’s short story “You Perfect Broken Thing” for how the character's stakes shape the barriers facing her. We use this story to examine how to tell the difference between barriers versus stakes. We also examine how to do this in a compressed space– whether that’s a short story, a single scene, or a compressed timeline.

Thing of the Week: We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson

Homework: Write a short scene in which your character has to deal with a mundane obstacle, then rewrite it as if that small obstacle has life-or-death stakes. How did you shift it to make the stakes clearer?

Liner Notes:

Sandra Tayler's new book, Structuring Life To Support Creativity. Preorder your copy today at sandratayler.com!

And help fund Mary Robinette Kowal’s Silent Spaces, a collection of short stories on Kickstarter here:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mary-robinette/silent-spaces?ref=nav_search&result=project&term=silent%20spaces%20

(Or go to kickstarter.com and type in “Silent Spaces”)

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Credits: Your hosts for this episode were DongWon Song and Erin Roberts. Our guest was Arkady Martine. It was produced by Emma Reynolds, recorded by Marshall Carr, Jr., and mastered by Alex Jackson.

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