Tim Grahl of StoryGrid describes stakes are the Narrative Drive. Here's what he has to say.

Narrative Drive keeps a story moving forward and makes the reader eager to keep reading. The stakes power it, the protagonist's goals, and the obstacles in their way. It isn’t just about action—it’s about crafting a story that keeps readers invested in the outcome from start to finish.

Narrative Drive is directly linked to how well you can create Crisis stakes in each scene.

The Crisis: The Key to Greater Narrative Drive

The Crisis is the pivotal moment where the protagonist must make a tough choice between two opposing options, each with significant consequences. This decision reveals the protagonist’s true character and drives the story toward the climax.

The tougher the decision, the more compelling your Crisis—and the stronger your Narrative Drive.

So, how do you make the Crisis more compelling?

Time, Kind, and Degree

There are three components to focus on when crafting a Crisis: Time, Kind, and Degree.

Time

Time creates urgency. How much time does your protagonist have to make their decision?

If they’re working against a deadline or feel the pressure of a ticking clock, the tension naturally increases.

Compressing the time in which a character must make a critical choice heightens both the stakes and the emotional impact of the scene. The more limited the time, the more desperate and revealing the decision becomes.

Example 1: A protagonist must decide whether to defuse a bomb or save a loved one. With only 30 seconds on the clock, the stakes feel incredibly high. Not only does the short time frame force the protagonist to make a snap decision, but it also brings out the rawest part of their character under pressure. The ticking clock adds an extra layer of tension, ensuring the reader is as anxious as the character.

Example 2: In a literary drama, a woman receives a letter that reveals a family secret. She has just minutes before a family reunion to decide whether she will confront her father, who has been keeping the secret for decades, or remain silent to keep the peace. The time pressure here isn’t life-or-death, but it creates a very personal crisis for the protagonist, forcing her to act on instinct and emotions rather than a carefully thought-out plan.

In both cases, time is a powerful driver of suspense, whether in high-octane action scenes or more emotionally driven dramas.

Kind

The kind of decision your protagonist faces shapes their emotional and psychological journey. Is it a moral dilemma? A practical decision? Or something deeply personal? The kind of choice they make reflects the protagonist's values, beliefs, and internal struggles. This aspect is critical because it speaks to the protagonist’s character arc and how they evolve throughout the story.

Example 1: In a romance, the protagonist is torn between staying in a comfortable but passionless relationship or leaving to pursue a risky love affair. The decision here isn’t just about who they love, but about their fear of change and desire for stability. The kind of decision pushes them to confront what they value more: security or happiness.

Example 2: In a mystery, the detective must choose whether to reveal the truth behind a crime, knowing that doing so will destroy a good person’s reputation—or keep the secret, allowing the real culprit to go free. Here, the kind of decision touches on moral themes, pitting justice against compassion. It forces the protagonist to weigh personal ethics against professional duty.

Each example showcases a choice that reveals the deeper layers of your protagonist’s personality, forcing them to face themselves as much as the external challenge.

Degree

The degree of the decision is all about the stakes. How much does your protagonist stand to gain or lose?

The higher the stakes, the more gripping the Crisis becomes, and the more the reader will be invested in the outcome. Low stakes result in a weaker emotional impact, while higher stakes push characters to their limits, often revealing new facets of their personalities.

Example 1: A character must decide whether to sacrifice their own life to save a loved one or let the loved one die. The degree here is as high as it gets—life or death—and the intensity of the stakes keeps the reader hooked. The protagonist’s decision affects not only their survival but also their relationship with the loved one, raising the emotional and dramatic tension.

Example 2: In a workplace drama, a protagonist must decide whether to blow the whistle on unethical practices within the company, knowing that doing so could ruin their career. The degree here is less about physical danger and more about personal and professional loss. This decision impacts their future, livelihood, and reputation, making the stakes deeply personal and emotionally charged.

In both scenarios, the degree of consequences makes the choice matter. The more your protagonist stands to lose—or gain—the more engaging and powerful the Crisis becomes for your reader.

Putting It All Together

By combining these three elements—Time, Kind, and Degree—you can create a Crisis that not only pushes your story forward but also deepens your reader’s emotional engagement.

The more compelling the Crisis, the stronger the Narrative Drive, which ensures your readers will keep turning the pages.