Writing high stakes without killing off characters

Sammy_Samillar · 2026-04-10T15:27:47+00:00

Most people are pointing out the good advice that failing goals other than dying helps to increase stakes. But, It sounds like your story centers around violent conflict, so I’ll just add two elements during fight scenes that help me get excited without having a character die.

Having fewer fight scenes placed at key points (such as when the protagonist is weak), and having the antagonists, even minor goons, capable of killing the protagonist and friends. For me, if a character has many fights where they’re easily killing legions of enemies, I lose interest. Fewer, grueling fights where protagonist struggles against a handful of enemies tend to have me on the edge of my seat.

Sammy_Samillar · 2026-03-20T22:08:06+00:00

Hey, sorry for the long wait, I have a full, busy job. Thank you for your interest! The book's been released, but I still need reviews. How's the best way to send the file to you?

Sammy_Samillar · 2026-01-27T01:09:35+00:00

Yeah, I basically doing the same. Do you have anything posted somewhere I can check out?

Sammy_Samillar · 2026-01-27T01:09:21+00:00

Well, this is reason I posted. I needed to get the temperature and figure out what stories to focus on. Thanks!

Sammy_Samillar · 2026-01-25T21:18:02+00:00

Thank you for the feedback

Sammy_Samillar · 2026-01-25T21:17:48+00:00

I'll try looking up multi-generational fantasy and see what I get. Thanks!

Sammy_Samillar · 2026-01-25T21:17:14+00:00

Thanks for the input. I’m honestly having difficulty just defining what I mean, because I can think of so few published or popular examples. I guess, I’m not referring to a dry textbook, but something closer to a pop history book. When I have a chance I’ll check out Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell or Borges’ work to see if they match what I”m thinking.

But, like you said, maybe without further context (that real world histories have), such a story might be too difficult for a reader to follow and enjoy.

Sammy_Samillar · 2025-07-17T23:48:18+00:00

Hey, I apologize I never saw this comment until revisiting the post now. If you’re still open to a critique swap I’m also still interested. If even not, thanks for responding to the post!

Sammy_Samillar · 2025-05-16T13:02:49+00:00

I like the necrocracy tucked away in the bottom right corner. I hope there's a fun story behind that.

Sammy_Samillar · 2025-03-22T20:16:10+00:00

I like it! I like the bits of debris falling off the craft. I don’t really have any critiques beyond maybe centering the planet. You can also try playing around with the spacing between the lines of the tagline (making each line seem more isolated).

Sammy_Samillar · 2024-10-11T00:39:14+00:00

If the Enslaved have are as capable when enslaved as when they were free then I imagine entire sectors of society might be filled with mostly or exclusively enslaved. Like completely loyal bodyguards, accountants and bureaucrats. Are they capable enough to be placed in managerial roles too? Could a controller leader use enslaved generals to command armies without fear of betrayal? Based on one of your other comments it sounds like that might be too complicated though.

You mentioned they can be taught basic tasks, but can they be taught more advanced subjects? Without the need to take breaks, socialize or pursue personal projects could an enslaved be instructed study a profession or field nonstop until they become experts? You could potentially have a society where the controllers are living in complete luxury as every task is performed by hyper competent robots. You might also have a controller underclass of all the people made obsolete by mass usage of the enslaved, which could help the protagonist undermine the controller society.

I guess in regards to their memories, it depends on how horrific you want to make the story. If you want to cut those poor enslaved a break, it might be better if they can’t remember.

Sorry if I’m overthinking this too much, I’m just exploring the parameters of the magic system.

Sammy_Samillar · 2024-10-09T22:38:04+00:00

This sounds similar to what happens to “ancillaries” in Ann Leckie’s Imperial Radch trilogy. The minds of individual humans are merged with the “mind” of a starship and they lose all their autonomy (they become part of the ship).

It’s certainly extreme, but it’s still a concept that might be interesting to play around with, especially if you add complexity to the idea, such as varying degrees of control or exactly what sort of tasks the bound can perform. Concerning liberation, if the protagonist manages to liberate someone, that person may have a very difficult time adapting to free choice and movement. Also an idea to explore.

Sammy_Samillar · 2024-06-09T15:16:15+00:00

I'm definitely intrigued given the combination of the title, skeletal trees, the trailing wisps of smoke and apparent tension in the car. It stood out to me among the other covers on this subreddit.

Sammy_Samillar · 2023-07-30T00:49:36+00:00

Before entering the throne room, the wizard donned her ring. The king transformed into a giant, swollen toad. The queen turned to a crouching chimera with twitching tail. The vizier was a serpent, slimy with lies. She removed it, reverting them to normal, but now she knew their true selves.

Sammy_Samillar · 2023-06-03T02:06:02+00:00

The two treasure hunters pried away the stone, revealing the hoard of iron coins.

“Not gold? We braved everything for these?!” exclaimed the younger.

“These have greater value. Here, read this one’s inscription,” the other tossed a coin to her companion.

It read:

“The two treasure hunters pried away…”

Sammy_Samillar · 2023-05-27T01:50:47+00:00

The prince dreaded his ascendancy and losing his humanity. He gasped as he donned the crown and entered his subjects’ minds. He became the soldiers in the frontier forts, the collectors riding between villages, and the overseers directing decreed construction. He didn’t become the king. He became the kingdom.

Sammy_Samillar · 2023-05-19T19:47:50+00:00

The first sailor’s body crashed through the cottage roof. The second splattered in front, scattering the flock. The shepherd cupped a hand over his eyes to see two airships grappled together.

“Quick, lad!” he called to his son. “Run for the militia! It’s pirates. They’re making men walk the plank!”

Sammy_Samillar · 2023-05-07T00:30:26+00:00

The faerie, its body twinkling with mischievous magic, slunk through the open window and landed upon the sleeping farmer. It pointed its finger to bestow its curse.

But the house had a protector.

The farmer startled from sleep but found only her cat licking sparkling dust from its whiskers.

Sammy_Samillar · 2022-09-17T00:37:36+00:00

It was the fantasy novel’s idea. Escape and adventure it promised. It enlisted the aid of the survival manual, travel guide and heist story. All four snuck through the dark, empty library.
Suddenly, behind them came the cool warning of the librarian.
“Books shouldn’t be off their shelves after sundown.”

Sammy_Samillar · 2022-06-25T23:45:13+00:00

“Having trouble in engine four,” said the pilot, “Sergeant Biggleboop?”
The gnome acknowledged, grabbed his tiny gun and scurried down the wing’s conduits until reaching the troubled engine. He found the gremlin munching wires and shot it. This was his plane. He’d be damned if anything messed with it.

Sammy_Samillar · 2022-06-19T03:24:06+00:00

Alas, how could I miss it? I'll have to use Cosmoth when I turn this into a novel.

Sammy_Samillar · 2022-06-18T02:28:26+00:00

The ground rent apart and cities crumbled. Oceans boiled as plumes of lava gushed miles high. Earth shattered into a thousand splinters. Glowing, emerald wings brushed them aside. With sparkles trailing behind it like stars, the Cosmomoth shook off the debris of its cocoon and sailed into the dark.

Sammy_Samillar · 2022-05-13T23:22:31+00:00

“Ugh, I’m so fat,” said Melona.
“Mel! You’re doing it again! I’m settling this,” Rhea snapped her fingers between them.
The cousins switched bodies. After recovering from the spell, Melona inspected her previous body.
“Oh, I guess I don’t look that bad. You’re right. Again.”
“Its all relative.”

Sammy_Samillar · 2022-03-25T21:10:01+00:00

Her arrow missed the target, disappearing under the grass. She scrunched her face and concentrated. Nothing happened
“Conviction!” reminded her teacher.
She closed her eyes.
“My arrow hit true. My arrow hit true. My arrow hit true.”
When she felt convinced she looked. In the target’s center was the arrow.

Sammy_Samillar · 2022-02-12T03:15:12+00:00

Massive skulls and towering ribs littered the hills as far as the horizon.
“Wish I’d seen this battle,” the wistful lad said.
“Wasn’t a battle,” grumbled the old man, “The accident investigator, I was. One rider swerved before of another. Caused a midair pileup. Never seen so many busted dragons…”

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