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?

Write 2-3 scenes showing your protagonist trying to solve the problem, encountering resistance, and learning something that changes their understanding.

Things to consider –

• Is each attempt logically motivated?
• Do obstacles feel real, not arbitrary?
• Is the situation more complicated than it was?
• Are stakes becoming clearer?

As with previous tasks, take your time and most of all, have fun.

Click to view the story conception task from week 1. 

Click to view the inciting incident task from week 2. 

by

Laura

I'm Laura. I started Novel Kicks back in 2009 as I wanted a place to discuss books and writing - two loves of my life. As someone who has anxiety, these two things give me, and I am sure countless others, a much needed escape.
There is a monthly book club, writing exercises, prompts, reviews, author interviews, competitions and guest posts. I cover many genres and I hope there is something for everyone.
I grew up by the sea in Dorset and currently live in Poole with my husband, Chris and three cats. I love writing and have a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing from Falmouth University. I am writing my first book. If only I could stop pressing delete. Chris has threatened to stop it from working. Haha.
I have always loved creative writing since I was in first school and would very much like to meet my teacher, Miss Sayers, to say thank you for all the encouragement she gave me then.
When not writing, I love reading, cats, Disney, singing (I can't sing but this doesn't stop me,) and falling into a good TV show or film. If I could step into any fictional world, it would be amongst the characters in ABC's Once Upon a Time.
I love reading many genres and discovering new authors.