The first turn

Note, while I discuss this as the inciting incident and not the beginning page of your story, several genres do begin their storytelling here, in medias res (in the midst of things). Trouble has found the main character.

The normalcy of the character that you established in the beginning page is disrupted. The cop who just closed their last case is about to sign out, but then Dispatch reports a home invasion on the next block. Oh, whelp. He tells Dispatch he’s in the area. And he turns his car left at the next block to report to the situation.

Inciting incidents introduce the plot thread that will become the main situation unsettling the character from now til the climax. For example, the home invasion case spirals into a hostage situation, or the main character’s partner dies, or the bad guy gets away. (Or all three) In any case, events spiral, conflict rises, and the main character has many problems.

Roller Coaster Analogy

Think of the inciting incident as the first climb on a roller coaster. If done right, the tension rises as the character realizes everything is about to get a whole lot messier than they really were prepared for.

Trying to resolve these problems, of course, will solve some things but create other problems. The bulk of your story will unfold by following the character as they go from bad to worse, and still worse, and finally, to a confrontation that will determine how many, if not all, of the problems are resolved. I’ll talk more about the plot from this point forward in my next newsletter.

~ Lara

I strongly recommend you contract for editing services 2-3 months in advance to guarantee the slot you want for your publishing timeline to stay on track. I try to keep my fees reasonable, but add a 50% upcharge on rush jobs. Save yourself time and money. Book now. ~ Lara