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writercises Original Posting 12/27/2019
And, in Chapter 11, Weiland tackles the third plot point. Also known as the second doorway of no return, I think. Let's see...Third plot point is a low point for the character! At the end of the second act, they seemed to win a victory, but... it's false! Now, the Lie is going to come out and the hero is going to have to confront it directly. No more halfway measures, it's time to fight!The antagonist is going to force things, and the hero is going to be forced into a full climax. There's often another revelation in here, too.We're going to have a physical plot point, but also a major choice by the character. Usually, chose between what they want, and what they need. No compromise, which one are you going to go for?In the positive character arc, of course, they hero chooses the truth, doing the right thing. Which means losing the thing he wants! The decision takes action, and the bridges burn behind him!Metaphorically, the hero dies here... at least to their old self. There's often some real death, too, at this point. Or at least symbolic death, or threats of death.So, what questions does Weiland recommend you ponder at this point?1 What event or revelation turns the apparent victory at the end of the second act into a crushing defeat?2 How did the failure to reject the Lie enable this defeat?3 How does the defeat make the hero really look at all the ramifications of the Lie?4 How does the defeat offer the character a path toward what he Wants?5 If he took the path to what he Wants, how will it lead to losing what he Needs?6 How do you set up a black-and-white choice between shat he Wants and what he Needs?7 Which does he choose?8 How can you literally or symbolically work death into this scene to reinforce the death of the old self?Okay? We're going to force the hero to make another choice, and go to that climax. And strip away the illusions of the Lie!Exercise? Probably the best is to look at two or three stories that you really like, and pull out how they dealt with this plot point. Then think about how you want to build this kind of plot point into your story!And watch for the next episode, when we tackle the third act!?
And, in Chapter 11, Weiland tackles the third plot point. Also known as the second doorway of no return, I think. Let's see...Third plot point is a low point for the character! At the end of the second act, they seemed to win a victory, but... it's false! Now, the Lie is going to come out and the hero is going to have to confront it directly. No more halfway measures, it's time to fight!The antagonist is going to force things, and the hero is going to be forced into a full climax. There's often another revelation in here, too.We're going to have a physical plot point, but also a major choice by the character. Usually, chose between what they want, and what they need. No compromise, which one are you going to go for?In the positive character arc, of course, they hero chooses the truth, doing the right thing. Which means losing the thing he wants! The decision takes action, and the bridges burn behind him!Metaphorically, the hero dies here... at least to their old self. There's often some real death, too, at this point. Or at least symbolic death, or threats of death.So, what questions does Weiland recommend you ponder at this point?1 What event or revelation turns the apparent victory at the end of the second act into a crushing defeat?2 How did the failure to reject the Lie enable this defeat?3 How does the defeat make the hero really look at all the ramifications of the Lie?4 How does the defeat offer the character a path toward what he Wants?5 If he took the path to what he Wants, how will it lead to losing what he Needs?6 How do you set up a black-and-white choice between shat he Wants and what he Needs?7 Which does he choose?8 How can you literally or symbolically work death into this scene to reinforce the death of the old self?Okay? We're going to force the hero to make another choice, and go to that climax. And strip away the illusions of the Lie!Exercise? Probably the best is to look at two or three stories that you really like, and pull out how they dealt with this plot point. Then think about how you want to build this kind of plot point into your story!And watch for the next episode, when we tackle the third act!?