June 10 - Excerpt from "Word Soup: Easy Recipe to Pen! Publish! Profit!"

Must have ingredients to tell a story.

·???????? EXPOSITION 5/20

·???????? INCITING INCIDENT 5/27

·???????? RISING ACTION 6/3

·???????? CLIMAX 6/10

·???????? FALLING ACTION

·???????? RESOLUTION

CLIMAX

????? The pinnacle of a storyline occurs when the main conflict reaches its apex of intensity. It’s the turning point in the tale where the hero confronts the opposing force or reaches his or her goal. It’s when the hero successfully rescues the princess, unearths the hidden treasure, or the detective uncovers the identity of the murderer. This moment marks the most intense and pivotal part of the story. As a ladder (“climax” Greek for ladder) helps you ascend; the climax propels your plot to its highest point of excitement.

·???????? The Climax is the most dramatic event of the story.

·???????? The Climax is the turning point in the story.

·???????? The Climax is the pivotal moment when everything changes, and the hero must confront the final challenge.

Types of Climaxes.

·???????? Crisis: - A critical situation or emergency. The crisis climax occurs when the main character confronts a decision that will significantly impact their life.

·???????? Catharsis: - The central core of personal development or transformation is marked by a significant moment referred to as the catharsis climax. It is during this time that the hero triumphantly prevails after overcoming a formidable challenge.

·???????? Revelation: - In mystery novels, a revelation climax frequently occurs when a significant undisclosed secret is unveiled.

????? You can think of your novel in that three-act structure if that helps you so the climax should occur near the end of the third act about 90% of the way through.

????? Should the climax of your story occur too soon, readers may grow weary of a prolonged resolution and resort to skimming or lose interest all together. If the climax appears too late, the resolution may lack depth and the reader finishes the story without being satisfied.

·???????? What has your hero learned previous to the climax that influences his or her action.

·???????? How does finding the treasure or finding out the truth impact his or her life?

·???????? Does the climax provide hints of a happy ending or plunge the hero into a downward spiral?

·???????? Does the jeopardy that you have placed your hero in lead to a significant payoff?

????? In a crime novel the unmasking of the murderer is typically the climax. In these examples the decision is the climax.

o?? Since Lord of the Rings is a trilogy each novel has its own climax with the ultimate one occurring in Book Three. Astoundingly, with all the action that goes on, the climax is on Mount Doom where Frodo debates whether to drop the ring into the volcanic fires thereby destroying it, or keep the ring for himself.

o?? The teacher is confronted with a critical decision: should she choose adoption and leave the children, or against all odds, stand by their side.

o?? The troubled teenager Sara posts on social media and finds Max’s family. She brings Max home, but the dog has a decision. Does he stay with Sara, who desperately needs him, or return to his comfortable life?