Goal: Avoid stagnation or flat, linear narration. Make sure every ≤3 pages you add a progression beat—new info/location/character, rising risk, or an upgraded attempt—so readers stay engaged.
1) Why progression matters
- Kids need the feeling of “something happened.” If nothing changes every few pages, they get bored and drift.
- Stories are causal chains, not scene collages. You must show continuous because → so movement.
- Layered escalation fuels momentum. Each step-up creates “I want to know what’s next.”
Memory hook: Every 3 pages = one new step: new goal / new attempt / new twist / new risk
2) Common missteps (contrast examples)
| Misstep | ❌ Weak example | ✅ Improved example (with progression) |
|---|---|---|
| Static description, no action | “Tom walks in the park. He sees flowers. He listens to birds. He goes home.” | “Tom wants his kite high. Wind stops → climbs a hill → asks a friend → they run faster → kite soars.” |
| Order can be shuffled | “Dog barks. Cat naps. Sun shines. Rain falls.” | “Rain starts → Cat hides → Dog pulls him to shelter → They both see a rainbow.” |
| No mid-turn | “They travel through the forest. Then they eat. Then they sleep.” | “They travel → A river blocks them → Try the bridge → Bridge breaks → Forced to build a raft.” |
3) Three-step quick fix (build “upgrade steps”)
- P1–P2: Set goal / initial obstacle
“Kite must fly. Wind dies.”
- P3–P6: Add a new attempt / escalated resistance
“Tom runs uphill, but the string tangles.”
- P6–8: Insert a small twist or new information
“A friend joins—‘Try a double run!’”
“The wind shifts direction.”
Acceptance check: flip every 3 pages—can you summarize one new content/action/obstacle in a sentence?
One-line takeaway
No progression = no interest. Ensure every ≤3 pages you introduce new information, higher stakes, or a changed attempt so the story climbs steps, not circles.
Next up: A04 | No Payoff: Close the loop with “result + light takeaway”