What Heartstopper, Annie, and The Hunger Games Have in Common
Plot is what happens. Story is how the plot affects your main character.
Although stories usually center the way one major character changes, what gives the story heart and emotional resonance is that hero’s relationships to other characters. Creating strong emotional attachments between your hero and other characters can do so much for your story.
It creates backstory for why your character has their misbelief.
It creates plot adhesive explaining why your character can’t walk away from the plot.
It creates internal and external stakes with high emotional intensity.
