In my last posts, I talked about the first steps in my brainstorming process: Magical Cookies, story world, and characters. Now, I’m ready to connect my characters to the world they live in. 

Beginning vs. End

I like to look at how my characters start the story: what are they like? Then, I write down what I want my characters to look like at the end of the story: what will they be like then, after they have achieved their moral and psychological needs? How will they need to change – over the course of the story – to become like that? 

Plot Changes Character

After I’ve written down who my character is at the beginning of the story vs. who they are at the end of the story, I brainstorm how I can develop the book’s plot in such a way that it helps the character change. 

I take my notes on the story world and my list of Magical Cookies, and I try to find four big “events” that will somehow push my character in becoming the person they are at the end of the book.

For example, if my character starts out as weak and afraid, but I want them to become powerful and brave by the end of the book, I will put them into situations that will force/teach them to be brave. 

Inciting Incident

The inciting incident is the first big event that will push the character to change. Usually, the inciting is a way for the character to get their desire – though it usually comes with a catch (for example, the character is offered a way to save their family, but it’s a super dangerous undertaking).

I like to use the inciting incident to push my character out of their comfort zone and into the adventure™ that will ultimately help them fulfill their psychological and moral needs.

First, Second, and Third Revelation

In addition to the inciting incident, there are three moments in which big “events” happen that change up the story. You can think of these events as major plot twists. They can be actual events (for example a monster attacks the character’s campsite) or pieces of information (for example one of the main characters is not who they thought they were) – as long as they change the character’s desire and push them to make decisions that help them become the person they need to be by the end of the story.

I hope you found this helpful! Of course, writing remains a highly subjective thing: what works for me doesn’t necessarily have to work for you (and that’s perfectly okay). In the future, I’ll be writing about outlining and introducing you to my beat sheet!