Novel Kicks Writing Room: Midpoint
Welcome back to the Novel Kicks Writing Room and the Plot Challenge.
Over the next few weeks, we will be focusing on plotting a piece of fiction, one task at a time.
These will potentially help you master plot structure by writing all major plot points, then analysing how each element builds toward a cohesive story.
Task 4: Midpoint
The midpoint is where you raise the stakes dramatically. Shift the story’s direction. Move from “trying to solve the problem” to “fighting for survival/truth/redemption.”
Some of the key things to consider when completing this task:
- What does your protagonist discover or lose at the midpoint?
- How does this force them to change their approach?
- What was their old strategy? What’s their new one?
- What’s the point of no return?
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Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: The Last Broadcast
Welcome to Fiction Friday, our weekly flash fiction challenge.
Here’s how it works:
Set a timer for five minutes and start writing
Keep going for as long as you can once the timer goes off
No editing allowed—raw writing only
When you’re finished, feel free to share in the comments (but there’s no pressure)
Today’s prompt – The Last Broadcast.
You’re a radio presenter finishing your final show after twenty years on air. As you’re about to play the closing song, you notice something impossible in the station’s call-in system: a message from yourself, timestamped five minutes in the future.
It contains a single instruction that will change everything you thought you knew about tonight.
by Novel Kicks Writing Room: Rising Action
Welcome back to the Novel Kicks Writing Room and the Plot Challenge.
Over the next few weeks, we will be focusing on plotting a piece of fiction, one task at a time.
These will potentially help you master plot structure by writing all major plot points, then analysing how each element builds toward a cohesive story.
Task 3: Rising Action
Building on the work you’ve already done from the previous two weeks, the purpose of this task is to complicate the situation. Raise stakes. Create obstacles.
When you’re thinking about the rising action, consider the following –
- What does your protagonist do in response to the inciting incident?
- What goes wrong with their first attempt?
- Who or what opposes them?
- What new information complicates the situation?
by Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: The Door
Welcome to Fiction Friday, our weekly flash fiction challenge.
Here’s how it works:
Set a timer for five minutes and start writing
Keep going for as long as you can once the timer goes off
No editing allowed—raw writing only
When you’re finished, feel free to share in the comments (but there’s no pressure)
Today’s prompt – The Door
Every morning, a new door appears in your home. It’s never in the same place twice, and it’s always locked.
Today, you notice it’s slightly ajar—and you can hear your own voice coming from inside, having a conversation with someone you can’t quite make out.
Your hand reaches for the handle.
What are you about to discover?
by Novel Kicks Writing Room: Plot Challenge – Inciting Incident
Welcome back to the Novel Kicks Writing Room and the Plot Challenge.
Over the next few weeks, we will be focusing on plotting a piece of fiction, one task at a time.
These will potentially help you master plot structure by writing all major plot points, then analysing how each element builds toward a cohesive story.
Task 2: Inciting Incident
Take your time with this. Aim to write between 500-750 words.
The purpose of this task is to disrupt your protagonist’s normal world and force them into the story.
Key questions to answer:
- What is the “before”? Show us normal life.
- What event breaks the normal life?
- Why can’t your protagonist ignore it?
- What question does this raise in the reader’s mind?
Write a scene (or brief sequence) that presents the disruption. End with your protagonist committed to action—whether they want to be or not.
Whilst writing, consider:
- Have I shown the protagonist’s world before disruption?
- Is the inciting incident clear and unavoidable?
- Would a reader want to know what happens next?
Have some fun with this. I’d love to know how you got on in the comments.
Click here to view task one – story conception.
by Book Club
