![\"\"](\"https:\/\/christianwriter.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/GateResize-1024x576.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nSo, after your Inciting Event, the rest of the First Act is going to continue on relatively normally. After all, the MC hasn\u2019t yet entered the Adventure World\u2014they\u2019re still in their Normal World. However, that pesky Call to Adventure (as well as the Truth) is going to keep popping up, ensuring that the MC is never completely comfortable in their Normal World.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In \u201cBeyond the Mask,\u201d several other things happen between the Inciting Event and the First Plot Point. Will and Charlotte\u2019s relationship begins to grow, and Will begins to feel comfortable in his new life. But with the arrival of his former sidekick, Joshua Brand, Will is reminded that his past has yet to be redeemed. Will gets rid of Brand and tries to tell Charlotte who he really is, but falters. He instead proposes to Charlotte, who agrees as long as her uncle will give his blessing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In \u201cIn Time of Need,\u201d we get a short break in between the Inciting Event and the First Plot Point as the scene switches to Mr. Beasley’s office, where his money problems are revealed. Mr. Sinclair, a lawyer, arrives with an announcement that Tad is the long-lost nephew of the recently deceased millionaire, Favian Lambert. Mr. Beasley immediately cooks up a scheme to get his hands on the money and convinces Mr. Sinclair that Tad and Ava have been well taken care of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So now the pieces are all in place for the First Plot Point. Will thinks Charlotte\u2019s uncle will quickly give his approval and they\u2019ll be married, when, really, her uncle is the last man he wants to see. And Tad is busy at work in the factory, unaware of Mr. Beasley and Mr. Sinclair\u2019s conversation\u2014which could very well change his life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then, at the 20-25% mark, the First Plot Point (also called the Gateway to the Second Act, or the Point of No Return) arrives. This is a huge turning point for the MC and, once they cross into the Second Act, they can never go back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let\u2019s take a look at a few things that can help you build your own First Plot Point:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- The cause<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
There are two different things that can drive a First Plot Point. The first one is an event forced upon the MC. It might be a tragedy or simply a circumstance outside of their control, but the MC will have no choice in the matter. Whether they like it or not, they are dragged kicking and screaming into the Adventure World of the Second Act.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nIn \u201cBeyond the Mask,\u201d the First Plot Point comes when Will discovers that Charlotte\u2019s beloved uncle\u2014who was to give his blessing on Will and Charlotte\u2019s engagement\u2014is really Charles Kemp. When Charles\u2019 men pursue him, Will is forced to flee from Addlesbury. This is clearly a forced event<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nThe second thing that can drive a First Plot Point is a decision made directly by the MC. They feel a need to change\u2014perhaps because of the Call to Adventure or other pressing circumstances\u2014and so they make a choice. Now, the MC may not be aware of it yet, but that choice will change their life. It will remove them from their Normal World into a world that they did not anticipate or expect\u2014the Adventure World.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nIn \u201cIn Time of Need,\u201d Tad\u2019s friend, Bevan, overhears Mr. Beasley talking to Mr. Sinclair, and mistakenly tells Tad that he is going to get sent away to work in another factory. Tad, in turn, makes the decision to run away with Ava.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nYou can also have a combination of both\u2014a disaster brings the MC to a crossroads, and they make an important decision. Or perhaps their decision brings about unforeseen disaster. It\u2019s really just a matter of what your story needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n- \n
- The Adventure World<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
When the First Plot Point happens, the MC becomes entangled in the main conflict\u2014much of which is still unknown to them. This is often symbolized by a physical removal from their Normal World (such as moving across the country, going on the run, etc.) or a physical change to their Normal World (such as the arrival of a character, a disaster, etc.).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nIn \u201cBeyond the Mask,\u201d the Normal World is Addlesbury\u2014and, ultimately, Will\u2019s belief that he can forget about his past. With the arrival of Charles Kemp, Will is forced into the Adventure World, which is represented by the city of Philadelphia. Will also realizes that he can no longer ignore the past, and that redemption is his only option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nThe change, however, does not always have to be physical. You could also opt to have the First Plot Point change your MC\u2019s view of their Normal World. While the physical world stays the same, the MC will never look at the Normal World the same way again\u2014thus transforming it into the Adventure World<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nTad\u2019s Normal World in \u201cIn Time of Need\u201d is pretty much symbolic because Tad never even leaves the neighborhood where the tenement house and factory are located. But we do see a big change in the way Tad sees this Normal World. Before, he was focusing on simply keeping his job at the factory, and now he wants nothing more than to get as far away from the factory as he can. While he doesn\u2019t physically remove himself from this world, his decision to leave strongly influences the way he now looks at it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I will also note that the discovery that Tad is a millionaire\u2019s heir also plays a part in the Adventure World, but it only affects the audience since Tad doesn\u2019t know about it yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nThe Adventure World is going to symbolize the main conflict and often will set itself in opposition to the MC\u2019s Lie. It\u2019s unknown territory to the MC who, up until this point, has been living in the Normal World.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Adventure World also symbolizes the Second Act. Now that the MC is engaged in the main conflict, they\u2019ve entered a new stage of the story. This Second Act\u2014much like the Adventure World\u2014is full of confusing twists and turns that ultimately work to combat the MC\u2019s Lie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n- \n
- The Point of No Return<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Whether the MC made the decision to kick off the First Plot Point or not, they have now entered the Adventure World of the Second Act. There is no going back to the way things were. The First Plot Point has created irreversible changes to either the Normal World, the MC themselves, or the way they view everything around them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The MC might not realize it yet, but they have just been thrust into the main conflict, and they won\u2019t be able to get out of it until everything is resolved. The Normal World is far away\u2014either physically or symbolically\u2014and the MC may never be able to return to it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nIn \u201cBeyond the Mask,\u201d we see this firsthand when Jeremiah Flack tells Will, \u201cYou can\u2019t undo the damage done.\u201d Now that Charlotte knows who Will is, her perspective of him changes (though she still doesn\u2019t understand much of what\u2019s going on). Instead of being able to explain things to Charlotte in his own time, Will now sees that he\u2019ll have to work much harder to prove himself to her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nIn \u201cIn Time of Need,\u201d Tad\u2019s realization of his precarious situation at the factory changes everything for him. As we saw earlier, he makes the decision to run away, which also changes his view of the Normal World. While it may seem like a small thing, these changes cannot be erased, and Tad is warier of others than ever before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n- \n
- The specific goal<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Your MC\u2019s Want will remain the same until they embrace the Truth and either first gain the Need, then the Want, or sacrifice their Want in order to get their Need (which doesn\u2019t happen until the Third Act, I might add). However, their specific goal may change several times during the story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The specific goal is just a stopping point on the way to the MC\u2019s Want. And, as the story progresses and circumstances change, the MC may need to adjust their specific goal in order to stay on the path toward their Want.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nIn \u201cBeyond the Mask,\u201d while Will\u2019s Want to be redeemed is still ever-present, his specific goal has now changed. He originally wanted to settle down and await revenge, but with the arrival of Kemp, that\u2019s no longer possible. So, instead\u2014with a little prodding from Jeremiah Flack\u2014he decides to set out to redeem his name (though, because of the Lie, he goes about it the wrong way).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nIn \u201cIn Time of Need,\u201d Tad\u2019s original goal was to keep his job at the factory. But with the new revelation at the First Plot Point, he now believes that the best way to protect his sister is to get away from Mr. Beasley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n- \n
- The Lie<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
In the Normal World, the MC was relatively free to believe their Lie, even though the Inciting Event made it a little uncomfortable to do so. But in this new Adventure World, the Lie becomes downright ineffective. The MC keeps trying to fix things with the Lie, but, suddenly, it doesn\u2019t work so great anymore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite these hints that the Lie doesn\u2019t work (more about that later in the Second Act), the MC will remain devoted to their Lie\u2014if only in order to get their Want.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nIn \u201cBeyond the Mask,\u201d Will\u2019s Lie gets a direct hit when Charles tells Charlotte his identity. Now that his past has caught up with him, it\u2019s beginning to look a bit more doubtful that he can redeem himself. However, he misunderstands Jeremiah\u2019s pleading for him to find redemption and sets out to do it in his own power. This shows his determination to do things according to the Lie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nIn \u201cIn Time of Need,\u201d Tad\u2019s Lie gets a blow when he realizes that he and Ava are no longer safe at the factory and tenement house. Even with all of his hard work, he still hasn\u2019t been able to fully protect his sister. But it\u2019s ultimately the Lie that leads him to decide to run away. Having met Reverend Sheppard that morning, he obviously knows of the man\u2019s willingness to help him, but his stubborn Lie keeps the thought far from his mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n- \n
- The antagonist<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Depending on the story, the antagonist\u2019s role in the First Plot Point can vary. The First Plot Point could be the revelation of the antagonist\u2019s existence, identity, or plans. Or perhaps you can leave the antagonist surrounded in mystery until another plot point arrives. The antagonist may cause the First Plot Point, or they might not even be present at all. It all depends on your story\u2019s needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nCharles Kemp in \u201cBeyond the Mask\u201d has been already known to be the antagonist since the first scene he appeared in. So the First Plot Point focuses on the reveal that he is Charlotte\u2019s uncle, as well as his renewed attempts to get rid of Will.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nIn \u201cIn Time of Need,\u201d Edgar Beasley is really only one of the antagonistic forces since Tad\u2019s own choices are often questionable. But while the danger at the First Plot Point\u2014Mr. Beasley\u2019s scheme to get the inheritance\u2014is real, Tad sees a different kind of danger thanks to the misinformation given to him by Bevan. Either way, Mr. Beasley is no longer seen as simply a greedy, cruel man, but as the story\u2019s antagonist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n- \n
- The blow<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
The First Plot Point is\u2026 well, a plot point. And as with the other major plot points (the Midpoint and the Third Plot Point), it\u2019s going to score a hard blow against your MC. As we\u2019ve seen, the MC is removed from the Normal World in some way, and their Lie is rendered ineffective. On top of this, many First Plot Points contain a shocking reveal or heart-rending tragedy. All in all, your MC is going to be quite shaken and confused going into the Second Act.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nIn \u201cBeyond the Mask,\u201d Will is quite shocked by the turn of events. His identity has been revealed to Charlotte\u2014the last thing he wanted in the world\u2014and Charles now has the upper hand. On top of that, the emotion of the plot point is heightened by the death of Jeremiah Flack (the Holloway\u2019s servant), who died helping Will escape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now that Will\u2019s secret is out, he is reeling about what to do. The worst possible thing that could have happened\u2026 happened<\/em>. This is clearly not how he wanted things to go, and he is forced to come up with an alternative plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nIn \u201cIn Time of Need,\u201d Tad isn\u2019t hugely surprised by Bevan\u2019s claim that Mr. Beasley is sending him away\u2014he\u2019s more outraged than anything else. But this turn of events leads him to make the desperate choice to run away. Not wanting help from anyone else, Tad sees this as the only option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nHere are a few more examples of First Plot Points:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Judah, his mother, and his sister are arrested; Messala turns against them; Judah becomes a galley slave and meets Jesus (\u201cBen-Hur\u201d)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Carl unleashes the balloons and his house floats away; he discovers Russell on the porch (\u201cUp\u201d)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- George\u2019s father dies (\u201cIt\u2019s a Wonderful Life\u201d)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Joy, Sadness, and the core memories are sucked out of the command center into an unknown part of Riley\u2019s head (\u201cInside Out\u201d)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
(Note: As I said in a previous post, \u201cIt\u2019s a Wonderful Life\u201d has a bit different plot structure. The Inciting Event and the First Plot Point are actually two sides of the same incident\u2014George\u2019s father\u2019s death. This is because of the extensive backstory that had to be introduced in the first part of the First Act.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nNow that you have all the things you need, it\u2019s time to create your own First Plot Point. As with the other elements of a good plot, I\u2019ve tried to keep their explanations both clear enough to understand, but vague enough that you still have room for plenty of creativity. Remember, plots and character arcs are not constraints or prison bars\u2014they are channels and guidelines to help you on your writing journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nComment below the First Plot Point of your favorite book or movie!<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
In this series so far, we\u2019ve covered the First Act up to the Inciting Event. Up until this point, the MC has remained in their Normal World where they are allowed to generally live comfortably with their Lie. However, all of that is about to change. When the First Plot Point arrives, the MC will be forced into a new Adventure World that will challenge their belief in the Lie.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,21,4],"tags":[24,29,93,23,32,27],"class_list":["post-503","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-plots-and-character-arcs","category-positive-change-arcs","category-writing-tips","tag-character-arcs","tag-christian-writing","tag-first-plot-point","tag-plots","tag-positive-change-arcs","tag-writing-tips"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/christianwriter.blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/503","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/christianwriter.blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/christianwriter.blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christianwriter.blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christianwriter.blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=503"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/christianwriter.blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/503\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":505,"href":"https:\/\/christianwriter.blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/503\/revisions\/505"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/christianwriter.blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=503"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christianwriter.blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=503"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christianwriter.blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=503"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
- Joy, Sadness, and the core memories are sucked out of the command center into an unknown part of Riley\u2019s head (\u201cInside Out\u201d)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- George\u2019s father dies (\u201cIt\u2019s a Wonderful Life\u201d)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- Carl unleashes the balloons and his house floats away; he discovers Russell on the porch (\u201cUp\u201d)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- Judah, his mother, and his sister are arrested; Messala turns against them; Judah becomes a galley slave and meets Jesus (\u201cBen-Hur\u201d)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- The blow<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- The antagonist<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- The Lie<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- The specific goal<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- The Point of No Return<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- The Adventure World<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n