Rising Star Adventures and Beyond

Day 23 prep 2025 (Plot complications)

Complications. Identify additional things that could go wrong for your protagonist. You are not required to resolve any problems yet, just create them. Remember: The more hardships your main character faces, the more readers will cheer them on, and the more engaged and invested the reader will be in your story. Brainstorm a list of problems you could throw at your protagonist(s) throughout the story, using "What If," mind mapping (see the resources at the bottom of the calendar), freestyle writing, or any other form of brainstorming you prefer. Hint: Other characters are a great source of realistic strife, since characters often are driven by conflicting motivations.


There are areas of the property that need repair and cleaning.

What if Ayah becomes ill from poisoning?

What if there is an accident in her car where she is injured?

What if her dog is poisoned or harmed?

What if her dog finds some evidence?

Someone does contest the will.

What if maid, butler, and gardener also experience accidents?

What will make the maid, butler, gardener and others in this story appear a suspect?

What if there are a series of suspicious mishaps?

What if there are several treasures within the property? Maybe a treasure map and hunt could also be included.

What if a building catches fire?

What if she is being watched/followed?

What if her property is burglarized?

What if she is forced to vacate the property?

What if all of this puts her job in jeopardy?

What if she keeps getting threats in the mail and over the phone?

What if the butler and maid were paid to spy on her?

The gardener has a secret crush on her.

I need to come up with more secrets the town's people are hiding.

What if Ayah is arrested?

What if she is kidnapped when she confronts the killer?

What if the town's people turn against her?

What if there is unexpected debt with the property?

What if Ayah suspects the gardener of being the killer?