(And it complains a lot in the process.)

Now, the title metaphor isn’t literally true necessarily, since there are soft breads that don’t rise, but they just don’t have the structure to be interesting, and that’s as true for characters as for baked goods.

But for the main characters…, well, there has to be conflict, and resolving conflict requires growth. In some sense, they have to be beaten down and then rise again, tougher and more tasty and seasoned than before.

Now, a young loaf starts out as a whole bunch of unconsolidated ingredients, and life has to mash them together to make them amount to something. Sometimes it’s hopeless — nothing left but breadcrumbs or maybe a future as pancakes, a minor character. If they can’t handle the yeast, then maybe their fate is as tea-time treats populating a cozy.

Liquid encouragement is necessary to make anything happen (just like the teenage years). But if all works well, it reacts to each well-lubricated blow by reforming and gaining resilience, until (if you let it mature properly) it rises and is baked into an adult form, capable of providing nourishment. Might have to rise more than once before baking until it reaches its full-flavored and well-shaped maturity.

Next time you run your characters through the wringer of painful experience, or make them incorporate a strong sourdough starter to get them going, remember what you’re baking and give it another push or two for character before shaping. Then season liberally with sesame seeds or raisins and let it bake just enough to be useful.

Do you let misplaced pity spare your critters their hard-won experience, or do they get yet another go-round from your floured fists when you contemplate their progress?