The 2 ways you can introduce your inciting incident
The heart of any memorable story begins with a tiny spark. That's the inciting incident – the matchstick that sets your plot ablaze. It's the moment that disrupts the ordinary world of your protagonist and propels them into their extraordinary journey. But how and when should you introduce this critical moment?
The early bird approach
One of the ways to introduce your inciting incident is to place it near the beginning of your story – think of it as the 'early bird' approach. It's like tossing your protagonist (and your readers) into the deep end. There's no time for leisurely swims here – a splash of cold water right at the beginning triggers action.
Advantages of the early bird approach
- Engages readers from the get-go: By introducing a critical plot point early on, you grab your readers' attention and encourage them to turn the pages to see what happens next.
- Sets the tone quickly: The early bird approach can effectively establish the story's mood and stakes upfront, giving the reader a clear idea of what kind of journey they're embarking on.
Drawbacks of the early bird approach
- Limited character development: Because the inciting incident occurs early, you may not have much time to develop your characters or their ordinary world. This can potentially make it harder for readers to connect with your characters or fully grasp the impact of the incident.
- Risk of early burnout: With such a quick pace, you run the risk of exhausting your readers or struggling to maintain the same level of tension throughout the story.
The slow and steady path
The other approach is the 'slow and steady' path, where you introduce the inciting incident after you've spent some time setting up your characters and their normal world. It's like a slow climb up a rollercoaster track, building anticipation for the thrilling ride ahead.
Advantages of the slow and steady path
- Deepens characterisation and world-building: This approach gives you more time to delve into your characters' personalities, relationships, and routines before you disrupt their status quo. This can lead to a deeper emotional impact when the inciting incident occurs.
- Creates suspense and anticipation: The slow buildup can create a sense of suspense, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they wonder what will happen next.
Drawbacks of the slow and steady path
- Risk of losing reader interest: If the buildup to the inciting incident is too slow or doesn't sufficiently engage the reader, you risk losing their interest before the main action begins.
- Might require stronger writing skills: To keep your readers engaged during the slower pace, you'll need to master the art of creating tension and interest through character interaction, foreshadowing, and world-building.
Choosing your path
Understanding your story and its needs is the key to deciding between the early bird approach and the slow and steady path. Consider your genre, your audience's expectations, the complexity of your characters and world, and the type of journey you want to take your readers on.
Ultimately, remember that your inciting incident, regardless of when it's introduced, should act as a turning point that ignites your protagonist's journey and pulls your readers in. So, whether you're an early bird or more of a slow and steady writer, ignite that spark in a way that will set your story ablaze.
