The First Plot Point
Your First Plot Point needs to be preceded by a strong decision on your character’s part , [but] almost always something that upends the character’s plans…
The First Plot Point is something that happens to your character. It knocks his world off kilter and shakes his equilibrium all to smithereens. It either flatout destroys his Normal World, leaving him with no choice but to physically travel on … or it warps the Normal World, forcing the protagonist to adapt to new ways of surviving within it.
-Weiland, Creating Stunning Character Arcs
The First quarter of your story is typically about setting up your character’s Mistaken Belief, or Lie. But from the First Plot Point on, that Lie’s days are numbered. Your task moving forward is to slowly and methodically unravel the Lie and help the character find the Truth that will allow them to change and grow in understanding or wisdom.
To do this, plan a First Plot Point that will remove your protagonist’s safety nets and force them to move out of their “Normal” world into a wold of “Adventure”.
From the list below, taken from Weiland Readings, pick at least 5 or 6 questions, copy them to your post and answer each of them with short paragraphs.
1. What major event will slam into your character’s Normal World and force him to alter his original plans?
2. What decision will lead your protagonist to the First Plot Point?
3. Will the First Plot Point seem favorable? If so, how will the complications turn out to be worse than the protagonist expected?
4. Or will this event be obviously disastrous?
5. Will the protagonist willingly embrace the First Plot Point and walk into the Second Act under his own power?
6. Or will he have to be dragged, kicking and screaming, through the gateway between acts?
7. Will the First Plot Point destroy the Normal World? Or will it physically remove your character from the Normal World? Or will it warp the Normal World around the protagonist?
8. How will your character react to the First Plot Point?
9. What new plot goal will the character form in response to the First Plot Point?
10. How will the First Plot Point put your character’s feet on the path to his new Truth?
11. How will the First Plot Point create a new world in which the character will be “punished” for acting according to his Lie?