Most of us have lived through a time in our lives when our
circumstances seemed dire, our lives in turmoil. We’re at our wits end and have
no idea how to proceed.
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| Courtesy of Pixabay |
Our fictional characters should reach that point in the
story when all seems to be lost and they have no hope of achieving their
dreams, their goals, perhaps, even saving their lives. It’s that dark time in a
character’s story when he’s tossed to the bottom of a figurative pit and the emotional
world around him goes dark.
This isn’t a plot point just for dramas. Even lighthearted
stories need a black moment. In fact, everything that happens previously should point to that time in the story when the character’s world, what they believed in or
knew, crumbles beneath them and sends them falling into a pit of despair.
How can you accomplish this?
Take something of value away from your protagonist. That something
of value may stem from his backstory—his wound and fear. Did an event in his
past turn him into a stickler for safety? Take that sense of safety away.
In a romance, the goal for a hero is to get the girl, right?
Then the black moment is when the relationship blows up in his face. It seems
the chance for “happily-ever-after” is gone and he’s faced with the decision to
let it go or man up and fight for his future.
In a suspense/thriller or fantasy/sci-fi, it generally comes when the
villain has the upper hand and the hero, his loved ones, or the whole world appears
doomed. Does he have the wherewithal and know-how to win the day?
The Black Moment, Crisis, Second Plot Point—however you term
it—is emotional, not just physical.
Dig that hole deep enough that climbing to the top seems an overwhelming effort, then remind them of their strengths and give them the ability to overcome.
This
isn’t the time to mollycoddle your characters.
Dig that hole deep enough that climbing to the top seems an overwhelming effort, then remind them of their strengths and give them the ability to overcome.
Remember, when your characters are in that pit, there’s no
way to go but toward the surface, which leads to the climax---the scene or
scenes of fighting back. Then, with whatever ending you've chosen, your readers will close the book and consider they've had a satisfying read.
Can you easily pick out the black moment in a novel? Briefly share a black moment in one of your stories.
The Black Moment, Crisis, Second Plot Point—however you term it—is emotional, not just physical, and essential for a satisfying read. via @SandraArdoin #SeriouslyWrite #amwriting
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As an author of heartwarming and
award-winning historical romance, Sandra Ardoin engages readers with
page-turning stories of love and faith. Rarely out of reach of a book, she's
also an armchair sports enthusiast, country music listener, and seldom says no
to eating out.
Visit her at www.sandraardoin.com. Connect with her on BookBub, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, and Pinterest. Subscribe to the Love and Faith in Fiction newsletter and keep
up with what’s new, discover what’s upcoming, and learn of specials.
She chose the wrong man once. Can she trust her instincts now?
Phoebe Crain, an accomplished pianist, lives in near poverty to protect her five-year-old daughter from scandal. When Phoebe receives a handcrafted cigar box by mistake, her desperation to give the child something special for Christmas drives her to suggest a trade with Spence Newland, a man she views as no more principled than her daughter’s late father. But the more time she spends with the department store heir, the more Phoebe struggles to keep up her guard against him.
Spence believes the cigar box will help him gain a reclusive investor's financial support for his proposed five-and-ten-cent stores, demonstrating his ability to manage the family fortunes. Yet he hesitates to bargain with a widow who mistrusts him for no apparent reason…until he meets a charming little girl at the train station who awaits the arrival of a prince.
Will a betrayal in Phoebe’s past and Spence’s unraveling plans derail their hope for happiness and keep a child’s fairy tale from coming true?
