Inciting Incident: How to Start a Novel or Screenplay in the Right Spot, Engage Audiences Right Away—And Nail the Sale
* Revised & Expanded Edition *
“I loved INCITING INCIDENT. It was so great that this morning I bought MIDPOINT MAGIC. My plan is to buy all the books in the Story Structure Essentials series.”
“A fantastic guide with plenty of examples. Added to my keeper shelf.”
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Ever struggled with finding the right spot to start your story?
It’s a stressful situation, isn’t it?
That’s because so much is at stake.
All you want to do is catch the attention of the person whose yes could change your life.
For you, this might be a:
- book browser
- literary agent
- Hollywood manager
- studio executive
But if you started your story in the wrong place…
If your story beginning is flat, boring, or bogged down by exposition…
You won’t keep the attention of your target audience.
They will toss your story back into the slush pile—relegating it to obscurity.
After all, they’re spoiled for choice, with thousands of entertainment options vying for their attention.
But.
The beginning of your story must do more than get you on the path to a sale.
It also has to convey various details to your target audience so they can understand and care about what happens later.
In short, the beginning of your novel or screenplay has to (a) grab audiences AND (b) set your plotting pieces in place.
Trouble is, each objective tends to use different pacing—one brisk, one more leisurely.
So. How in the World Do You Accomplish Both at the Same Time?!
If this is a storytelling dragon that you’ve grappled with in the past—perhaps for years…
…you will love Inciting Incident, which will show you how to banish it.
Imagine What It’d Be Like to Easily Craft a Successful Story Beginning…
The beginning of your novel or screenplay would be so captivating, it’d make your target audience feel tingles down their spine.
The kind of tingles that make them cancel everything else because they want to book a date with YOUR story.
But that’s not all.
Later on, when you crank up the heat on your characters, your audience won’t say “So what!” or “I’m so confused”—and bail on your story.
Your audience will still be right there with you—still charmed, still captivated.
Which means you won’t be facing two soul-crushing outcomes: losing audiences now versus losing them later. Instead, you’ll turn this lose-lose proposition into a win.
*ahhh* Can you feel that sweet exhale of relief?
That’s what your writing life can be like after you read this acclaimed, deep-dive writing guide.
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Ever Been Burning to Know…
- Does my story beginning have the kind of pacing & momentum that will attract my target audience…or repel them?
- Where should the inciting incident go to keep audiences hooked? Can I delay it without losing them? How much everyday world should I include?
- What starting point should I use when I know that my current one is too rushed, and I’ve gone too far ahead with the plot?
- How can I make audiences excited about slower, character-driven opening scenes?
- What are different ways to open my story? Do “controversial” beginnings like prologues and flashforwards ever work?
You’ll find all the answers—plus more—in this easy-to-read guide to story structure.
(No fancy college theory here. Just plenty of examples and practical, down-to-earth advice that, nevertheless, goes deep into craft.)
Stop Feeling Like Your Opening Pages Are—No Matter What You Do—Too Slow, Too Rushed, Too Confusing, Or Too Flat
Gain the perspective you need to successfully ease audiences into your story.
Fill your storyteller quiver with next-level techniques that’ll pull in audiences and keep them connected to your plot & characters—all while maintaining an engaging pace.
Ready to Unlock the Power of a Masterful Story Beginning and Captivate Audiences from Page 1?
Buy Inciting Incident now and get better at setting your story beginning at the right point today!
Download the ebook instantly or buy the paperback
(free shipping with Amazon Prime):