How to Write a Great Climax: Strengthening your Plot for a Powerful Payoff

Agnes uncovers how to write a great climax, how to strengthen your plot, and how to write good character development in this ninth episode of the 52-Week Story Savvy series. Developmental editor Rebecca Hartwell—founder of Hart Bound Editing [http://hartboundediting.com]—joins aspiring author Agnes Wolfe from Authors’ Alcove [http://authorsalcove.com] to explore how to build suspense in a story and break down the essential elements of story structure for novels. Together, they examine what makes good character development and share plot development rules that help writers craft climaxes with powerful payoffs, ensuring their protagonist earns their resolution. Whether you’re wondering how to become a better fiction writer or how to edit your book yourself, this episode is packed with expert advice to help you turn your good story into a great one.

They break down how to ensure your protagonist’s choices shape the story, why stakes and consequences matter, and how to craft an arc that feels natural yet transformative. You’ll learn how to avoid passive protagonists, ensure character actions align with story themes, and create turning points that resonate emotionally.
This episode covers:
How to make your protagonist’s actions drive the plot.
Why strong character choices are key to an impactful story.
Common character arc pitfalls and how to fix them.
How different genres approach character growth.
From first drafts to final edits, these expert strategies will help you craft a story that keeps readers engaged from page one to the final scene.
Recommended Resources:
Story Grid – [https://storygrid.com]
Developmental Editing Services – [https://hartboundediting.com]
Authors’ Alcove Membership Site - [http://authorsalcove.com]
Book Giveaway - [http://authorsalcove.org]
Have a question about character arcs? Let us know in the comments, and we’ll answer it in a future episode!
0:00] Introduction
[00:53] What defines a climax and resolution?
[01:39] Should genre affect how readers feel about conflict?
[03:15] What’s the biggest mistake writers make in climaxes?
[09:20] How do we prevent the protagonist from being overshadowed?
[12:50] How can we tell if our protagonist has grown enough?
[14:40] How do I know if my climax is big enough?
[17:52] How do we balance foreshadowing without over-explaining?
[24:28] How do we know if the global crisis resolution worked?
[27:28] How do we ensure the resolution satisfies readers?