Comments on: Developing Themes In Your Stories: Part 10 –The Act II Crisis

By: E. E. Rawls (author)

E. E. Rawls (author) — Tue, 20 Jun 2017 01:56:00 +0000

The Wheel of Time series’ first book had one of my favorite Act 2 disasters, where the protagonist had to face serious danger coming at him from all sides while at the same time facing the danger of his own power. Act 2 disasters are engaging to read, it’s what the story has been leading up to since the beginning. Harry Potter of course has a good Act 2, as does Fellowship of the Ring. I like how you used Bilbo’s story as an example here, too.

By: Sara Letourneau

Sara Letourneau — Wed, 07 Jun 2017 16:53:00 +0000

In reply to sjhigbee. It's great to see how writers recognize not only the existence of these plot points in their own stories, but also the importance of those plot points. I loved every word of your comment here, Sarah. :) Thanks as always for reading and commenting!

By: Sara Letourneau

Sara Letourneau — Wed, 07 Jun 2017 15:09:00 +0000

In reply to Faith. You're welcome, Faith! And thank you for reading and commenting. :) As for Pirate Eyes, it does sound like your Act II crisis accomplishes everything it needs to in order to raise the stakes and reflect the story's themes.

By: Faith

Faith — Wed, 07 Jun 2017 13:19:00 +0000

This critical moment had actually been missing in one of my earlier drafts of Pirate Eyes (before it became close to what it is today) and I remember struggling a bit to define an action that would challenge Keira appropriately, up the stakes one last time. Reading the above, I’m glad to see how the crisis I settled on satisfies the criteria you mentioned. Keira’s plans are completely thrown out of whack, much of what she cares about is threatened, and she is quite literally ‘plunged into darkness’. And her motivations link directly to the major theme threading through.

Great article, Sara! As always, so insightful and enlightening. Thank you 🙂

By: sjhigbee

sjhigbee — Tue, 06 Jun 2017 11:42:00 +0000

You’re right – this is a really crucial aspect of the developing plot – upping the stakes the last extra notch so that once things start to turn around for the protagonist, we are really on board with them. I have been revising and editing my second novel ‘Dying for Space’ having not so much as looked at it for nearly a year. I was surprised – and pleased to see just how that dark night of the soul encapsulated all Jezel is struggling for – and how she is convinced it is now beyond her grasp, before events start to trickle her way. Once again, a great article, Sara:)