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When You Don’t Know What Happens Next in Your Story, Try This

The Write It Scared Podcast

The Write It Scared Podcast
When You Don’t Know What Happens Next in Your Story, Try This
May 10, 2026 Season 3 Episode 104
Stacy Frazer

Submit to Season 4 Courage Files Here!

 Ever hit that point in drafting or revision where you’re not sure what should happen next? 

You might know the next big plot point, but the how-to-get-there part… that’s the problem. 

In this solo episode of the Write It Scared podcast, I break down why the answer usually isn’t inventing a brand-new conflict. More often, the next scene is already hidden inside the consequences of what just happened. We talk about cause-and-effect storytelling, tracking what changed in the previous scene, and how pressure from other characters and antagonistic forces naturally creates momentum.

I also share a simple trick for getting unstuck when your brain goes blank: writing a messy reaction scene first. 

Plus, there’s a quick update on The Courage Files coming in Season 4.

Timestamps
 00:00 Why Writers Get Stuck
 02:07 The Courage Files Update
 04:08 “What Happens Next?”
 05:12 Cause-and-Effect Story Logic
 05:52 Finding the Consequences
 08:04 Pressure From Other Characters
 09:51 The Reaction Scene Trick

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