What’s at stake?
That’s the key question writers are exhorted to ask about their characters’ motivations.
And it’s a great question! After all, if nothing is at stake for the main character, there is no story. For example, Jocelyn, a police detective, really likes her job. Nope, move along, nothing to see here.
What if something’s at stake, but it’s mundane or predictable? Sure, there’s a story. But is it one readers will really care about?
Probably not. That’s why we need big stakes for our protagonists. The weight of literally saving the world doesn’t have to be on their shoulders, but figuratively, it should be. For example, the protagonist’s career, an important relationship, or even soul should be on the line:
