It's the hinge your entire story turns on—and one of the hardest story elements to identify and write.

Can I be honest? I struggled with turning points for years.

I knew they were essential. They’re the moment when everything changes. The moment that forces the character to face a crisis choice. The moment that reveals what the story is really, at its heart, about.

And yet . . . I couldn’t see them.

I found so many things that weren’t the turning point. I found inciting incidents, and midpoints, and climaxes.

The turning point, though? It eluded me.

Until I learned a simple framework that finally, finally unlocked them for me.

That framework:

• Reveals why the turning point matters so dang much within the story
• Ties the turning point perfectly to the inciting incident, climax, and every other element of story
• Is objective and straightforward, making it clear to measure (no more guessing at turning points based on gut feeling!)
• Is wonderfully simple (it’s kind of incredible how simple it is, considering how tough turning points are to spot)

That framework marked my turning point in the way I edit turning points.

If you have ever struggled to figure out what the heck the turning point is in a story, well, you’re not alone.

I hope this framework gives you a breakthrough. It certainly did for me!

Further listening:

• Inciting incident (qualities & traps)
• Progressive complications (qualities)
• Progressive complications (traps)
• Protagonist’s goal
• Content genres

Send me a Text Message!

Support the show

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

"I love Alice and Your Next Draft." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more writers through the mess—and joy—of the editing process. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap the stars to rate, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Loving the show? Show your support with a monthly contribution »