“The worst thing. Once you have your character, ask this question: What is the worst thing that could happen to this person? Your answer may very well be the start of a novel of suspense, a novel the reader just can’t put down.” (James Scott Bell, Write Great Fiction – Plot & Structure)
Writing Exercise: The Worst Thing That Could Happen
Techniques to Develop:
1. Character-Specific Conflict – The worst event must arise from the character’s unique vulnerabilities, history, or desires, not just external misfortune.
2. Emotional and Psychological Stakes – The scene should immerse the reader in the character’s internal turmoil, not just depict external action.
3. Narrative Momentum – The “worst thing” should be a turning point that forces change, escalating the story rather than merely causing suffering.
500-Word Writing Prompt:
Write a scene where your protagonist experiences the worst possible event tailored to their fears, flaws, or desires. This isn’t about catastrophe for its own sake but a moment of profound personal crisis. Frame the scene from deep within the character’s perspective—through physical reactions, sensory detail, and internal processing. The scene should end with the protagonist facing a choice that propels them into the next phase of their story.
Example Approaches:
• A surgeon’s greatest fear is losing a patient. The scene unfolds mid-operation, when a minor mistake spirals out of control.
• A devoted parent fights for custody. The moment of crisis: a court ruling in favor of their estranged spouse.
• A perfectionist academic’s life unravels when they’re exposed for plagiarism.
What Makes a Response Successful:
• Strong Response: The “worst thing” is deeply personal to the protagonist. The scene unfolds through immediate sensory and emotional reactions rather than detached exposition. There’s an escalation of tension, and by the end, the protagonist is forced to act or reassess their reality.
• Weak Response: The event is generic or arbitrary, not rooted in the character’s psyche. The scene relies on summarization rather than immersive detail. The character reacts passively rather than engaging in struggle or decision-making.
Follow-Up Questions for Workshopping/Revisions:
• Does the event feel like a natural extension of this specific character’s fears, flaws, and desires?
• Are the character’s reactions—physiological, emotional, and psychological—fully realized?
• Does the scene create forward momentum in the story, or does it feel like a static moment of suffering?
• How does this crisis redefine the character’s goal or self-perception?
Recommended Reading:
• Short Story: “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” by Joyce Carol Oates – The protagonist’s worst fear materializes in a moment of psychological and emotional crisis, with escalating tension that forces a pivotal decision.
• Novel Excerpt: Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro (the revelation of the characters’ fate) – The worst possible realization is deeply personal to the protagonist, reshaping their understanding of themselves and their world while maintaining quiet emotional devastation.
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