Turning Point Scenes: A Key to Unlocking Story Success
How did we get here?
Hi, I’m Stephanie. 👋
If we met in person and you politely asked me about myself (which you would because you are just that kind of person), I’d probably start with what my life looks like right now.
Married, mom of teens, writer, writing coach…
That’s what we do, right? We define ourselves for others based on what we DO in the world.
(There is a very big part of me that wants to take a left turn here and explore the existential why of this, but I’m going to resist. You’re welcome.)
So I’ve introduced myself to you, and you to me. But because you are someone who likes to connect with people on a deeper level and skip the small talk, you ask me more questions. And then I ask you more questions.
(If this is actually true of you, that you would rather stand on the edges of a party and have a one-on-one conversation, please come find me. We are soulmates.)
Now the real conversation begins, and we would probably begin to share turning points. These are the moments in our lives when our internal and/or external circumstances changed. The how-did-we-get-here of it all.
I’ll give you a few examples. But first…
FIRST DRAFT CRAFT WORKSHOPS
On the first Saturday of every month, I teach a First Draft Craft webinar for paid subscribers to this newsletter.
Why? Because while many things can be fixed in revision, there are some things that it’s helpful to consider before and/or while writing the first draft.
A replay will be available, and those who attend live have the opportunity to participate in a Q&A!
The next webinar is on March 1 at 10am. Topic: Your Main Character’s Arc. I hope you’ll join me! Click here to learn more.
The Groundwork for Your Story:
Message: what you want to say, and why
Character Arc: how they are going to change internally
➡️Turning Points: key plot points that affect this change⬅️
Back to our conversation:
As we begin to get to know one another, I might share with you that I used to be an elementary teacher, that I was all in, that it was almost the entirety of my identity as a young adult. That although I had adamantly announced that I would never get married or get pregnant when I was in my twenties, I did both in my thirties. That a stillbirth brought me to my knees and wrought changes, both career and otherwise, which I’m still untangling.
Or I might share that when I was ten I got a deep cut in my knee that required stitches and left a scar that still leads people to ask if I had surgery. Or that I failed to make the cheerleading squad in high school, but my best friend did. Or that once I was a juror on a murder trial.
There are moments in each of our lives, big or small, that stand out as turning points.
They are moments in time, whether by choice or by coincidence, that change how we see the world and how we interact with it…even if just slightly.
Your main character has turning points, too.
It’s important to remember that the Groundwork is interconnected. Your message is what the character arc is based on, and the turning points in the plot are where that character is going to have their perspective shifted toward the end goal.
If you’re writing a short story, there may be only one or two turning points.
If you’re writing a novel, there are going to be quite a few more.
As you think about how your character is going to change over the course of your story, play with brainstorming events (both controllable and uncontrollable) that could shift their perspective. If you’re starting with plot ideas, ask yourself how those moments are going to shift your character’s perspective.
Your characters are people, too. Give them moments that they can talk about later at a party.
If you have any questions about this, I invite you to click the speech bubble and leave a comment, or hit reply to the email. I’d love to talk it through with you.
Have a beautiful day!
Warmly,
Stephanie
P.S. I’ll be here when you’re ready. 🌻
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