Q2 Week 7 CRAFT: Writing Setbacks and Regroups in your Fiction
In all plotting structures, Act One has your characters in an ordinary, every day world that the readers experience so they’re very clear when things go upside down in the Extraordinary World. Before we leave that Ordinary World, your protagonist makes a plan, takes a step, and gets knocked back by an Obstacle that you place in front of them. Now it’s time to take stock of that setback and regroup.
THE SETBACK
Imagine our protagonists on a treasure hunt, following a map that leads them through twists and turns. Just when they think they’ve found the treasure, they realize it’s just a mirage, a decoy leading them off course. This is the essence of the setback in storytelling – a moment where characters think they’re about to hit the jackpot, only to find out they've been chasing a false victory, or they stumble into an obstacle that sends them tumbling back down the hill they’ve just climbed.
A setback is like a misstep in a complex routine. It throws the character off balance, forcing them to pause, reassess, and find a new rhythm. In romance, this could look like a protagonist finally getting that first kiss with their love interest, only to overhear a conversation that makes them doubt the sincerity of their partner's feelings. It's a heart-drop moment, where the sweet high of romance turns bitter with misunderstanding.
Shift to a mystery, and here's our detective, piecing together clues, confident they've got the culprit cornered. Then, a new piece of evidence surfaces, flipping their theory on its head. It’s not just a twist in the plot; it’s a test of their deductive skills and their ability to adapt to new information.
In a thriller, imagine our hero finally getting one over on the antagonist, a moment of triumph. But then, the ground shifts – a revelation or a new threat emerges, showing that the victory was just an illusion, a momentary upper hand in a game with ever-changing rules.
These setbacks aren’t just plot devices; they’re crucibles for character development. They strip away the facade of false victory and force characters to face the raw reality of their journey. It's in these moments of setback that characters reveal their true mettle. Do they crumble under the weight of disillusionment, or do they find a resilience they didn't know they had?
Crafting a setback is a delicate art. It's about timing it just right, ensuring it adds to the story's tension without derailing it. It’s a narrative steep hill that the characters must climb, but the view once they reach the top – the growth, the development, the deeper understanding – makes the climb worth it.
THE REGROUP
Let's take a breath and regroup, shall we? Picture our protagonist like a boxer between rounds, sitting in their corner, catching their breath, dabbing at bruises, and reassessing their strategy. They've taken a hit or two, sure, but they're not out of the fight yet. This regroup scene in our narrative is just like that – a crucial breather, a moment to recalibrate and refocus.
In romance, imagine our lead character has just had their heart stepped on. They thought they knew what they wanted – that perfect partner who checked all the boxes. But the setback has them rethinking. Maybe what they need isn't Mr. or Ms. Perfect-on-Paper but someone who understands their quirks and chaos. So, they're back to the drawing board, redefining their idea of love and partnership.
Switch to a mystery, where our detective, after chasing dead ends and false leads, has to sit back and look at the case from a new angle. The setback – maybe a key suspect turning out innocent – forces them to question their assumptions, maybe even their methods. It's a moment of truth, of peeling back layers to uncover a need for a different approach or a new perspective on the crime.
In a thriller, our hero might be licking their wounds after a failed plan. The adversary is still out there, the threat looming larger than ever. But this pause, this regroup, is where they gather their wits, tap into a deeper resolve, or perhaps realize they need to forge unlikely alliances. The setback has shifted their focus, illuminating a need for adaptation and resilience.
This regroup scene is not just about catching a breath; it's about transformation. Our protagonists realize that their initial 'want' was perhaps a mirage, and now they're digging deeper, unearthing their true 'need.' It's a plot pivot that sends them down a path more aligned with their growth, their true desires.
If the character realizes their want was the false goal, this is the moment they come to understand what the truly need. With this new goal in mind, a new plan needs to be made. If they had a need all along, this regroup moment is a time to commit to the plan and go forth with gusto. If your character realized that their need was a want and they made a change to their goal, they must come up with a new plan before moving onto the next plot point which is -you guessed it- another obstacle.
As storytellers, we need to balance this introspection with the momentum of the plot. The new (or improved) plan that takes shape during this regroup phase is a springboard into the final act. It's a renewed, more profound commitment to their journey, armed now with the lessons from their setbacks.
The regroup scene is a narrative linchpin. It's where our protagonists, and our story, take a deep, introspective breath before plunging back into the fray. It's about refining goals, learning from the past, and moving forward with renewed purpose. This beat is where our characters, tempered by their trials, begin to shine with their true colors, ready to face what comes next with a clearer vision and a stronger heart.
If you’ve felt you’ve had some setbacks at this point, use your emotions in this scene. Nothing like writing real world problems into fiction!
This is an excerpt from my nonfiction book “Page Turner Pacing,” which many of you supported on Kickstarter. I don’t have plans to make the book available for purchase on retailers any time soon, but I will be running another kickstarter this summer where you can snag a copy!
Did you know that I’m turning these posts into a Guide and Planner? Yup, Page Turner Planning will be launched on Kickstarter later this year. Be sure and follow the campaign to know when it launches!
