Why Looking at What Happens Next is Keeping Your Story Stuck

Story stuck? Most writers assume they’re stuck with their manuscript because they can’t think of the next plot event, or they're repeating emotional beats. But in my experience, that’s rarely the real problem. More often, the story stalls because we’re asking the wrong question. Instead of asking: “What happens next?” We should be asking: “What changes next?” One of the biggest breakthroughs I ever had as a writer was realizing that readers aren’t actually following events. They’re following change. They’re tracking movement. They’re looking for evidence that something is different at the end of a scene than it was at the beginning. Once you start looking for those shifts, storytelling becomes much clearer. Stories aren't built on events...or at least they shouldn't be! They're built on transformation. Every scene that keeps readers engaged creates a change... in emotion, understanding, relationships, stakes, power, motivation, or direction. When those shifts stop happening, stories start to feel repetitive, flat, or stuck, even when plenty is technically happening. In this video, I break down: ✔️ Why focusing only on plot events can lead to stagnant scenes ✔️ The difference between action and change ✔️ Why some stories feel like they’re spinning their wheels ✔️ How to identify the missing shift in a scene ✔️ A simple question that can instantly help you regain momentum If you’ve ever struggled with: ✔️ A sagging middle ✔️ Scenes that feel repetitive ✔️ Characters who seem stuck ✔️ Pacing that feels slow ✔️ Not knowing what to write next I hope this video helps you see the problem from an entirely different angle. Truly! 👉 Subscribe for weekly videos on story structure, character development, reader psychology, revision, pacing, and writing craft. 🎶 Fun fact: the end music is my son Sam Ramirez’s original song, Shoulders. You can listen here: https://bit.ly/4fZrHGK #WritingTips #StoryStructure #WritingCraft #AuthorTube #AmWriting #NovelWriting 🖤 Straight from my story witch heart, Your Bourbon & Books Host Melissa Bourbon ✨ Subscribe to this channel and share with your writing besties! 👩🏼‍💻 CHECK OUT MY BOOKS Magical Women’s Fiction (Ivy Cassidy): https://ivycassidybooks.com Book Magic, Magical Dressmaking, and more (Melissa Bourbon): https://melissabourbon.com Bread Shop Mysteries (Winnie Archer): https://melissabourbon.com/book-gallery/ Featured Series: House of Spells and Secrets: https://amzn.to/47cjURM The Book Magic Mysteries: https://amzn.to/4fSWTFB Lola Cruz Mysteries: https://amzn.to/41SWXzn The Magical Dressmaking Mysteries: https://amzn.to/4fMiTSs The Bread Shop Mysteries: https://amzn.to/4fRDRiP 🎓 LEARN WITH ME 💻 Pinterest Power for Authors (Full Course): https://writersparkacademy.podia.com/... 💻 How to Write a Cozy Mystery (Full Course): https://writersparkacademy.podia.com/... 💻 How to Write a Novel (Full Course): https://writersparkacademy.podia.com/... 💻 Foundations of World-Building (Full Course): https://writersparkacademy.podia.com/... 📗 Novel Blueprint Character Guide → https://amzn.to/464gzmG 🎁 Freebies for Writers: • Pin Signals Checklist → https://writersparkacademy.podia.com/... • Pinterest Quick-Start Guide → https://writersparkacademy.podia.com/... 📬 SIGN UP FOR MY NEWSLETTER Weekly writing tips, author marketing strategies, and magical updates:👉 https://writersparkacademy.com/newsle... 🛍 AUTHOR SERVICES & MERCH 🎨 Book Cover Design (WriterSpark Covers): https://writersparkbookcovers.com 📚 WriterSpark Academy Courses: https://writersparkacademy.podia.com WriterSpark Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheWriterSp... 🛒 Ivy & Cassidy Shop (Grimoires, Witchy Goodies, & More): Coming Soon 🤝 SUPPORT THE CHANNEL ☕ Buy Me a Tea: https://ko-fi.com/melissabourbon ✨ Patreon (Exclusive Author Marketing Tips & Behind-the-Scenes): Coming Soon 🌐 FOLLOW ME Website: https://writersparkacademy.comInstagram:   / writer_spark   and   / bookishly_cozy   Pinterest (Marketing for Authors):   / writersparkacademy   My Author Pinterest:   / melissabourbonbooks   LinkedIn (Author Marketing):   / melissa-bourbon-21200513   📺 CHANNEL PLAYLISTS • Marketing Monday (Pinterest Tips for Authors):    • Set Up a Pinterest Profile, Authors, And S...   • Writing Craft & Story Structure:    • Deep POV in Fiction: Stop Telling, Start I...   • Author Interviews:    • You Don’t Have to Be Funny to Write Humor   ⚠️ Affiliate Disclosure Hey, y’all! I sometimes use affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission per sale. This does not affect my recommendations. I only share tools and services I use and love, and my own books.