Write Your Novel
Step by Step


By Melanie Anne Phillips
Creator of StoryWeaver

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For Story

Structure


Story Structure

Library


Videos on

Structure



For Story

Development


Writing

Tips

Library


Articles on Writing






Read the Science Fiction Thriller

From the founder of Storymind

Man Made follows a mysterious force as it sweeps around the globe erasing anything man made - from buildings, vehicles, and technology to medicines, clothing, and dental work.

Governments stagger under the panic, religions are at a loss for an explanation, scientists strive for any means to stop or divert the phenomenon, and the world’s population from families to individuals struggle to prepare for The Event, which will drive humanity back beyond the stone age.

The Event is coming.

Are you prepared?

Copyright Melanie Anne Phillips


Storymind

Free Writing Resources

~ Step 69 ~



Consequences


In most stories, the Consequence is what will happen if the Goal is not achieved.  In some stories, however, the Consequence already exists, and will continue to be suffered unless or until the Goal is achieved.  Either way, for maximum tension in your novel, you need to ensure your readers are clear on what will happen if the effort to achieve the goal end in failure.


In this step, your task is to determine how you wish to reveal your Consequence to your readers.  Some Consequences, like the smoldering volcano above the town, are more or less self-evident.  But in a deep character study story, the Consequence may only become apparent near the end, when the Main Character is on the verge of achieving his or her Goal.  This character's motivation may be the fear of this unspoken consequence, which ultimately must be specified.


The Consequence in The Godfather, is only stated outright in the middle of the film, when the failing Don (Marlon Brando) succinctly tells his son Michael (Al Pacino) that if Michael fails to achieve a unified family, they will all be like puppets, rather than rulers.


Even before the Consequence is specifically revealed, it can often be felt like a pall, hanging over the story, or at least over some of the characters.  And the actions of characters can ultimately be more driven by fear of the Consequence than desire for the Goal.


In this step, describe how you will reveal the nature of the Consequence to your readers, then list all the other ways in which the Consequence might affect the course of your story and the decisions and actions of your characters.