Understanding story structure helps us create stories that keep readers reading. Story structure provides a critical framework to make our stories powerful and engaging.
We’ve looked briefly at an overview of the core elements of story structure.
Today we’re going to dig deeper into the inciting incident.
The Inciting Incident
The inciting incident is where the main character is thrust into the action of the story.
It occurs shortly into our novel, some say around 10-12% if you’re looking for a number, but generally in the first few chapters.
We’ve already started our story off with a strong hook where we caught our reader’s attention and introduced our main character and the world they live in.
We basically have a brewing pot filled with potential.
The inciting incident is the plot point that upsets the balance of things and pushes us into the main story.
Our story has been set up and this is where it starts moving forward in earnest.
So what does an inciting incident look like?
- A change in location/circumstances
- A ticking clock introduced
- An external force coming in here to shake things up/cause problems
- A new character or influence/information
- A mystery introduced
Basically something is forcing a change. Stakes are involved which force a decision/need to act.
The inciting incident is a pivotal part of our story where it moves past an interesting hook and into actual action. It is the start to the primary plot.
After this point things cannot return to the way they were before.
Joseph Campbell calls it the “call to adventure.” If we have a reluctant hero, they can no longer ignore the need to act.
Stakes must be introduced and raised at this point, and this conflict is the tension that will drive our story forward.
Recognizing our story’s inciting incident can help us to make it more powerful.
Things to evaluate:
1- Is there a clear problem and push toward action?
We need to have the problem and stakes of story introduced at this point and have a goal for the main character.
2- Is it a strong scene?
This is a world shaking moment for the main character where nothing will ever be the same. While it doesn’t need to be a life or death situation, having a dramatic setting and/or action can emphasize the power of this moment.
Further reading:
What Is An Inciting Incident? Definition, Mythbusting, and Example – Reedsy
So what about you- do you know what the inciting incident is in your story?
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