THE STM PODCAST

Get Free, Practical Insights for Writers on the Art and Craft of Storytelling.

Prefer to watch? Catch full episodes on our YOUTUBE CHANNEL

Searching for something specific? Type any topic into the search bar to find episodes that meet your needs.

S5_E29. How to Raise the Stakes in Your Story (Without Gimmicks)

by: Zena Dell LowePublished on: 01/08/2026

Learn how to raise the stakes in your story without gimmicks. This episode explores character-driven stakes, escalating consequences, and why meaningful tension is always rooted in relationship and moral cost.

how to raise the stakes in a storyraising stakes in storytellingstory stakes and consequencescharacter driven stakeshow to create tension in fictionstorytelling stakes explainedemotional stakes in writingescalating conflict in a storywriting compelling stakesstory structure and stakes
S5_E29. How to Raise the Stakes in Your Story (Without Gimmicks)

© 2026 The Storyteller's Mission

General Inquiry

Privacy Policy

Earnings Disclaimer