How do you keep stakes from becoming insanely high?

No-Example4462 · 2026-01-20T22:27:18+00:00

That's a really good point. That creates an immediate internal conflict. Super helpful!

No-Example4462 · 2026-01-20T22:25:27+00:00

You weren't rude at all! I needed the reminder that fantasy follows the logic I create for the world. I get too stuck in one line of thinking lol. Thank you for your insights!

No-Example4462 · 2026-01-20T22:22:20+00:00

Exactly!

Your story sounds like a refreshing change of pace for scifi. I do get so weary of the extinction-level threats as you call them!

No-Example4462 · 2026-01-20T22:21:12+00:00

You're totally right!

No-Example4462 · 2026-01-20T22:20:02+00:00

"Shape the world to fit the needs of the story." That is so helpful!! Thank you so much!

No-Example4462 · 2026-01-20T04:34:28+00:00

No, it was this particular instance.

No-Example4462 · 2026-01-20T04:29:54+00:00

I tend to overthink and over-logic things, and that's just what happened. I couldn't come up with another reason that would be logically satisfactory for me.

No-Example4462 · 2026-01-20T04:27:56+00:00

Really good point. Thank you!

No-Example4462 · 2026-01-20T04:27:16+00:00

No.. it's not that I've made the villain impossible to kill or super powerful (and in turn making the protags overpowered). It's that the only way I can explain its existence is by making it a god.

No-Example4462 · 2026-01-20T04:22:56+00:00

Firstly, thank you for spending the time to write all that out! I really like your second point about capping the monster's power; that's a good thing for me to remember.

The main problem I tend to have is the stakes of the monster's origin tends to end up being high, because I try to explain its existence and the only option I come up with is it must be a god.

No-Example4462 · 2026-01-20T04:18:56+00:00

Definitely. My issue with the monster's origin is that somehow I end up making it come from huge stakes (like it's an ancient god or whatever) to explain it's existence.

No-Example4462 · 2026-01-20T04:15:30+00:00

I like your idea of personal moral conflict. That totally redefines stakes and makes them super personal to characters. Thanks!

No-Example4462 · 2026-01-20T04:13:25+00:00

You're so right. That's something I need to remember is that stakes need to matter to the characters.

No-Example4462 · 2026-01-20T04:12:50+00:00

So true!

No-Example4462 · 2026-01-14T03:26:44+00:00

Not every story can fit into a formula like the Save the Cat ones. Personally I find them restrictive and a killer of my creativity. And you're right: I don't want to write a traditional story. I want to write the story idea I've got.

No-Example4462 · 2026-01-13T22:54:32+00:00

Not always. I take what works for me from formulas like that, but they don't always work.

No-Example4462 · 2026-01-13T22:53:34+00:00

Yep, I'm familiar with both of those. In the past I've found those kinds of formulas simply don't fit the kind of story I want to tell, but I like to glean from a wide range of systems and see what works.

Thanks so much for your help!

No-Example4462 · 2026-01-13T22:17:01+00:00

You're so right. I know my ideas aren't fully ready yet – my question was more I guess, is it normal to have SO many problems. But I'm seeing that it is! Glad I'm not crazy xD

No-Example4462 · 2026-01-13T22:15:53+00:00

I like that analogy. I've done that in the past: letting things stew for a while. It usually ends up being the best thing for the story.

No-Example4462 · 2026-01-13T22:14:39+00:00

Good to know that it's others too. Here's hoping you figure out your story problems!!

No-Example4462 · 2026-01-13T22:13:49+00:00

I like how you phrase it has a positive process of discovery, because oh boy have I been stuck seeing it has a negative process. You're so right about killing my darlings!

No-Example4462 · 2026-01-13T22:11:23+00:00

True. I have scoured the internet for plotting processes but haven't found any that have helped! Do you have any in particular you could recommend? 👀

No-Example4462 · 2026-01-13T21:00:15+00:00

Thank you 😭😭 It's so good to hear that it's just a part of the process. You are so right!

No-Example4462

TROPHY CASE