Identifying 6 Significant Events in the first 1/3 pages of your novel
In novels, significant events are often revealed through the exposition (initial information) & rising action (series of conflicts)
- What is the main goal or problem that the character (s) is / are facing?
- Is a character’s actions affecting the plot, determining their next outcome?
- Who or what antagonizes the character? Who goes against the main character in their goals and why?
- Does the character struggle with internal problems (guilt, making a decision, their past, how they view themselves)
- Does the character struggle with external forces (people / antagonists? Physical: weather, problem to solve)
- Does the character struggle with society? (poverty, ideas they disagree with)
- Heavy Literary Devices Does the setting overshadow the character at any point? What feeling does this create for the character or reader? Does the event seem to foreshadow / warn that similar events will follow?
- Who supports the main character (s) in their goal? Do they have a new problem?
- Note if anything (a saying, idea, action) is being repeated?
- Do any of the character’s actions go against your own instincts? (feeling uncomfortable or “weirded out”)
