{"id":530,"date":"2023-01-17T19:31:52","date_gmt":"2023-01-17T19:31:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/christianwriter.blog\/?p=530"},"modified":"2023-01-17T19:32:48","modified_gmt":"2023-01-17T19:32:48","slug":"the-positive-change-arc-first-pinch-point","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/christianwriter.blog\/?p=530","title":{"rendered":"The Positive Change Arc First Pinch Point"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Your character has just been plunged into an entirely new world. No longer in the Normal World where they could be relatively comfortable in their Lie, they are now in the Adventure World, where the Lie doesn\u2019t work and the main conflict abounds. At this point, it’s a confusing world full of unknowns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Unfortunately for your MC, this Adventure World has a whole new set of rules. These rules are very different from the rules that applied in the Normal World, which were built upon the MC\u2019s Lie. The rules of the Adventure World\u2014while they might seem harsh\u2014are built upon the Truth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Note: Don\u2019t be mistaken by the fact that the Adventure World is supposed to present the Truth. This doesn\u2019t mean the World will be any less dangerous, cruel, and unfair. It\u2019s called the Adventure World for a reason. But nevertheless, this World is still going to help teach your character a lesson\u2014that the Lie doesn\u2019t work.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While this can all remain metaphoric, you could have it represented by the MC\u2019s reaction to the physical changes in this new Adventure World. Your MC is going to spend a lot the time in between the First Plot Point and the First Pinch Point trying to get his bearings. He\u2019s trying to figure out how to survive in this world, yet still keep his Lie. He\u2019s also provided with tools to overcome his Lie, though he shoves them aside once again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In \u201cBeyond the Mask,\u201d Will takes on a new name along with his new specific goal (which we discussed in the last post). He travels to Philadelphia to get a job with Benjamin Franklin, whom he believes is somehow connected to Charles Kemp\u2019s plans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here is where we find Will discovering the Adventure World of the Americas. Since he was previously more concerned with surviving, Will doesn\u2019t know much about the colonies and appears to be indifferent to either side of the soon-to-be revolution. In the end, it\u2019s Franklin who helps Will discover what his convictions are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cIn Time of Need\u201d has no scenes in between the First Plot Point and the First Pinch Point since, once again, it\u2019s a short story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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So now we come to the First Pinch Point. As the name suggests, this plot point serves as a \u201cpinch,\u201d or an uncomfortable reminder to the MC. Up to this point, as we\u2019ve seen, the MC has been reeling from the First Plot Point and struggling to adjust to the Adventure World. But even though it\u2019s hard enough as it is, it\u2019s about to get harder. The First Pinch Point is going to remind the MC of three things:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. The antagonist<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    The First Pinch Point is the antagonist\u2019s opportunity to strike back at the MC. It might be something small, but it will remind or inform the MC of the antagonist\u2019s presence and power. While the Adventure World has been hard enough on The MC, the antagonist must provide the most conflict.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Just as with the First Plot Point, you don\u2019t have to actually reveal who the antagonist is. But make sure that their presence is definitely felt by the MC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    In \u201cBeyond the Mask,\u201d Charles Kemp\u2019s men place electricity-charged bombs in patriot shops around the city. This show\u2019s both Kemp\u2019s power, and reveals more of his plans to Will.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    In \u201cIn Time of Need,\u201d Mr. Beasley forces Tad to play the part of a pampered rich boy in order to fool Mr. Sinclair. Not only that, but he takes Ava hostage to secure Tad\u2019s cooperation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    1. The stakes<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      In case the MC has forgotten what\u2019s at stake here, the First Pinch Point will remind them of this. Whether it\u2019s a job, happiness, or the life of someone they love, it\u2019s emphasized why the MC must <\/em>win the main conflict.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      In \u201cBeyond the Mask,\u201d Will sees the destruction and chaos Charles has created in Philadelphia and knows that it will be much worse if Charles is allowed to succeed. He\u2019s also provided with a more personal stake\u2026 his relationship with Charlotte (more on that in the next point).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      <\/div>\n\n\n\n

      In \u201cIn Time of Need,\u201d Ava\u2019s kidnapping emphasizes her safety, a high stake for Tad. While the mistreatment of the factory workers and tenants is definitely a problem, Tad\u2019s first concern is his sister.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      1. The Truth<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        As I said before, the Lie is no longer effective in this Adventure World. Up until this point, the MC has refused to believe it, stubbornly clinging to his Lie. But at the First Pinch Point, the MC\u2019s Lie is going to fail, and they will be punished in some way for using it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Remember, the Adventure World is supposed to oppose the Lie. So, though it represents the Truth in a sense, it can have a harsh way of enforcing it. This is why your Flat Arc, Truth-believing characters are there to accurately represent the Truth in a softer, more human form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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        In \u201cBeyond the Mask,\u201d the opposition to Will\u2019s Lie is a bit harder to pinpoint. Since much of the conflict comes from within himself, it would seem that his own doubts play a part in the First Pinch Point. We see him watching Charlotte from afar, and he knows that he must become a changed man before he can approach her again. This thought carries over into the Midpoint, which we\u2019ll look at next time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        <\/div>\n\n\n\n

        In \u201cIn Time of Need,\u201d Tad\u2019s helplessness to protect both himself and Ava is shown again and again. Because of his refusal to accept help, he appears to have backed himself into a corner. And, though he doesn\u2019t see it yet, the Lie has begun to obstruct his Want.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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        Here are a few more examples of First Pinch Points:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \n
        1. The new ship commander tests Judah (\u201cBen-Hur\u201d)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        2. The dogs search for the bird; Carl and Russell find the bird (\u201cUp\u201d)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        3. Harry takes another job; George gives up his honeymoon (\u201cIt\u2019s a Wonderful Life\u201d)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        4. Joy and Sadness meet Bing-Bong,; they miss the Train of Thought (\u201cInside Out\u201d)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
          <\/div>\n\n\n\n

          Using these tips, you can create your own First Pinch Point. Though the pinch points will be much smaller events than the main plot points, they’ll provide a needed reminder of the stakes, the antagonist, and the Truth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          <\/div>\n\n\n\n

          Comment below the First Pinch Point of your favorite book or movie!<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

          Your character has just been plunged into an entirely new world. No longer in the Normal World where they could be relatively comfortable in their Lie, they are now in the Adventure World, where the Lie doesn\u2019t work and the main conflict abounds. At this point, it’s a confusing world full of unknowns.<\/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":[5,21,1,4],"tags":[24,26,29,103,23,32,33,27],"class_list":["post-530","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-plots-and-character-arcs","category-positive-change-arcs","category-uncategorized","category-writing-tips","tag-character-arcs","tag-characters","tag-christian-writing","tag-first-pinch-point","tag-plots","tag-positive-change-arcs","tag-protagonist","tag-writing-tips"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/christianwriter.blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/530","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=530"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/christianwriter.blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/530\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":533,"href":"https:\/\/christianwriter.blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/530\/revisions\/533"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/christianwriter.blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=530"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christianwriter.blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=530"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christianwriter.blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=530"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}