8 Tips on Writing Inciting Incidents

Рет қаралды 14,491

Күн бұрын

Need help with book formatting or cover design?
Check out my website: vivienreis.com/cover-design
or my Fiverr page: bit.ly/VivienFiverr
- Wondering what makes a good inciting incident and where it should be in your novel? I have 8 "truths" to help you out in your own writing!
►Want bonus content? Consider supporting me on Patreon: / vivienreis
►Dreamer to Doer Time Management Course: bit.ly/D2DCourse
►FREE copy of novella: bit.ly/TEPNovella
►BUY MY BOOK: bit.ly/BuyTEP
►Sign up for my newsletter: bit.ly/VivienNewsletter
Happy Writing Podcast: vivienreis.com/podcast
_
My favorite resources (affiliate links):
Scrivener for PC: bit.ly/VivienWindows
Scrivener for Mac: bit.ly/VivienMac
Need a website? Wix is my favorite! bit.ly/WixDoer
Need to edit some pics? PicMonkey free trial: bit.ly/PicMonkeyTrial
Need a cover designed? Check out Damonza: bit.ly/Damonza
and use VR5 for 5% off!
Check out my favorite eBook/audiobook subscription, free for 60 days!! bit.ly/Scribd60
Get 2 FREE audiobooks with Audible trial! bit.ly/VivienAudible
Voracious Kindle eBook reader? Sign up for a KindleUnlimited trial: bit.ly/VivienKU
Need help with editing? Try ProWritingAid: bit.ly/VivienPWA
_
I HAVE A P.O. BOX NOW!
Vivien Reis
P.O. Box 352033
Jacksonville, FL 32235
Find me online! Do it nooow!
Twitter | / vivienreis
Instagram | / vivien.l.reis
Goodreads | / 14900742.vivien_reis
Website | vivienreis.com
Tumblr | / vivien-reis
Facebook | / vivienreis
Pinterest | / vivienlreis

Пікірлер: 81

@thebordemz 5 жыл бұрын

I had no idea this thing had a name before this video. Thank you for the lesson, and for helping me solidify what the opening of a story should look and feel like! I'm starting up on my first full-length novel after seven years of conceptualizing and outlining what the series it's a part of will look like. Very exciting!

@robertlombardo8437 5 жыл бұрын

Yes! Been waiting for this video forever. Thanks, Mama Viv!

@dirtywashedupsparkle 5 жыл бұрын

3:35 Add one more inciting incident :P Thanks for talking about this aspect of stories, I haven't thought about it in more detail before :)

@SerafRhayn 5 жыл бұрын

This video came at the perfect time, Viv! I’ve been wondering about my inciting incident as a whole and this definitely helped, thank you 😊

@christiandouyon9739 5 жыл бұрын

Love your videos. Always clear and to the point with some quirky humor in it. You're great at it and I hope you i get to see more of them.

@laurenharris9510 5 жыл бұрын

Great video! Good reminders of some basics I already knew and a couple things I hadn't thought about before. Keep it up!! 😁

@britanygarcia3951 5 жыл бұрын

Ugh, thank you! Your videos always seem to come at the right time! I'm trying to plan a book right now and I'm getting caught up on the inciting incident among other parts but at least one of them should be easily solvable now. Thanks, you're literally my saving grace.

@kimieady 5 жыл бұрын

Hey! I just started writing my book and this is such a helpful video! Thank so much girl

@andrearoberts2663 5 жыл бұрын

I was just going over my inciting incident in edits and this vid is so helpful!

@whitebear224 4 жыл бұрын

I've just recently discovered your channel, and I'm so glaaaad. I'm making a text based game and your tips are so great!

@accredo2011 4 жыл бұрын

Wow, great videos! You have me hooked!

@MartinMartin-ho2zi 5 жыл бұрын

A mind reader, just what I needed! Thanks once again for your lovely advice.

@jananstunes 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the insight ! It does really explain something I could not put into words of I tried! 😯🙏

@BoYcLuE 5 жыл бұрын

I love all your videos, thank you!

@williambartlett9917 5 жыл бұрын

Great video! Have a perfectly planned and executed Inciting incident can make or break a story. I appreciate your take on it! Thank you!

@johnprockter 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much. This is great stuff 👍

@themiIes 5 жыл бұрын

Important note: Your last name means Rice in German.

@windowscrashed5358 5 жыл бұрын

And "Kings" in Portuguese.

@mikkeline_ 4 жыл бұрын

they have different pronunciations though :3

@anthonywheeler2082 5 жыл бұрын

This was very helpful. Thanks

@piyalichhajed6009 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the tips :)

@mich_writes_fiction 2 жыл бұрын

I am working on my debut novel, and this video was extremely helpful. Thank you!

@barter56 3 жыл бұрын

I like the way you explain things !!!

@emilyeshraghi8197 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much! And you're so fun! :))

@zubaerchaudhari8267 5 жыл бұрын

Vivien Reis you have a another amazing great nice awesome day

@greyjamz6626 5 жыл бұрын

Good advice, the counter was amusing

@boholoveme23 5 жыл бұрын

Thank You!

@woodlandlady7011 5 жыл бұрын

Wow, I was just figuring out the inciting incident in my new WiP when I see your video !😊 Brilliant intuition Vivien!

@KutWrite 5 жыл бұрын

Me too, except in my case, reviewing what I've written for restructuring and 1st polish plans.

@kyro-jaxxsonofkosmos23 5 жыл бұрын

"Character is wrongfully charged and escapes in spaceship" hmmm, might use that. All creativity aside, very sound and helpful advice

@trillseibert2742 5 жыл бұрын

Hey Vivien, I have two protagonists and I am having trouble associating your advice in this video in particular to my book. It's not your fault, I'm also under a lot of stress due to getting ready to go out of country. I also want to say that your videos have helped me with my writing.

@kokochono5054 5 жыл бұрын

Loved the synonyms, especially ignite. What does my protag discover that ignites them into action?

@WriterMarkusRegius 5 жыл бұрын

Great video! I will admit that I have had some struggle figuring out what is the inciting incident in some of my stories (in my current WiP, I put the inciting incident for one of my characters before the story even starts. Seems to be working but made things a bit complicated 😅

@raharoni Жыл бұрын

Nice presentation (and presenter)

@lynnsmith1911 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you :)

@cassievincent1929 5 жыл бұрын

Literally needed this! Trying to work out whats an inciting incident and a subplot is hard! 🙌

@KatSperlingBooks 5 жыл бұрын

The mayor difference is that your story can't happen without an inciting incident. The subplot just adds to the story. Hopefully that's helpful :).

@cassievincent1929 5 жыл бұрын

@@KatSperlingBooks Thank you so much! It does its so confusing.

@bobsherwood4537 5 жыл бұрын

If you haven’t already, check out her video on subplots as well. It's extremely helpful.

@khaldounj 5 жыл бұрын

4:22 You've missed an inciting incident count, great video, keep them coming

@VivienReis 5 жыл бұрын

😵 I figured there'd be one!!

@khaldounj 5 жыл бұрын

@@VivienReis hahaha, well I've found it for you, I want to use this opportunity to thank you for the encouragement and motivation you gave me, finding your channel made me go serious in writing again after more than 7 years without writing. Thank you 😊

@VivienReis 5 жыл бұрын

@@khaldounj This makes me so happy to hear! It's definitely harder to make these videos now that I'm a mom but I love comments like yours. It reminds me why I do what I do, so thank you!!!

@khaldounj 5 жыл бұрын

@@VivienReis you don't have to worry about it, even if you will not be consistent in publishing new videos as before. We're not going anywhere add to it that you have plenty of videos in your channel and I haven't seen them all.

@Danielle-nn4yh 5 жыл бұрын

@@VivienReis and at 3:36🤣

@williamvaliant337 5 жыл бұрын

Excellent topic! Can there be more than one ii ?

@Toniamm7 5 жыл бұрын

Oooh I’d like to learn more about ‘the hook’ 😀

@mattclayne7802 5 жыл бұрын

Great Video ! Next time, can you give some example (famous movies or book) for each point. I have difficulties to see how the inciting incident is connected to climax. For example in titanic : Inciting = Jack win the ticket at poker and go the ship Climax = Jack and Rose are in the ocean and freeze to death Starwars: Inciting = Luke see the message of Leia Climax = Luke go in the trench to shoot the Death Star How the 2 elements are connected ? I mean, ok, the first lead to the next, but like all others elements in the story structure.

@diannebdee 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much Vivien. I'm in the planning stages of another story and this helps in telling me where my [insert title of video here] is. I'm so sorry Isla is growing up so quickly. I wish she could stay little for a while longer just for you. And I just adore your hair. It's so cute. Take care and all my love to you, Steven, Rocky, Kiera, and that little love Isla. Would you be too offended if I named my female character in this new story after your babba?❤❤❤❤❤

@PranavBhave 5 жыл бұрын

Great. 🙂

@itiswhatitismindset 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks a lot, Vivien ! Mew actually help me ! Get it ? Mew ? You?

@raullimon4210 5 жыл бұрын

Do you like to read drafts or work in progress books we are writing?

@bitman666 5 жыл бұрын

One complaint I have with this video is that your “inciting incident” count is one out, when the card for #2 appears you say it for the 9th time, you play the ‘ting’ but don’t count it. My OCD is playing up tonight. Oh and at 5:12 you completely missed another so your count should be at least 26. I may be inciting my own incident here.

@guha2487 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video. It very smart and informative. One small feedback, the word repetition counter is very distracting so maybe we should lose it?

@avollant 5 жыл бұрын

you missed one between 15 and 16 :P

@andrewlind3731 5 жыл бұрын

Hey Viv, question, could you do a video on the difference between Showing and Telling in stories. Recently my friend and I both had our stories critiqued by someone who told us both, "Show, don't tell," and now she is freaking out that she has to redo her whole 100,000 word Sci-Fi story, which she was hoping to submit to agents this fall. Thank you so much in advanced, a fan and subscribers, Andy.

@hammudyalabbuda355 5 жыл бұрын

Hello. I am a novice writer. I write short stories and novels l have published my first book on amazon website (the gates opener. Miracle birth book 1). and I have not been read by anyone. What do you advise me to read and spread?

@wthrasherb 5 жыл бұрын

If anyone is familiar with the Hero's Journey, or monomyth cycle, the "inciting incident" is the Call to Adventure. Even if you aren't using the Hero's Journey structure, you can go read about the Call to Adventure and it could help you understand "inciting incidents" better.

@remyatempest6700 5 жыл бұрын

My inciting incident starts at 14,000 words 12% of my 118,000 word novel. However that inciting incident is actually my sub plot incident, written as the main incident, the actual inciting incident happens at 25% point of my novel. It happens at the end of my 1st act. Is this okay

@koudacyen 5 жыл бұрын

That hairstyle really suits you

@melvinhathorn4988 3 жыл бұрын

Sounds like the inciting incident is the Same as “the call to adventure” that Joseph Campbell writes about in the hero’s journey.

@torbjornlekberg7756 5 жыл бұрын

Hm. The inciting incident comes rather late in my book, and the protagonist does not realy make an active choice. However, both of thiese apparent flaws are necessary for the end point to be as impactful as it is, so I am a bit torn. Also, what gives my inciting incident that extra powerful kick is all the buildup. Is it possible to have the reader invested despite this? By using a "false" inciting incident, or somthing? I am going to write a series, so how the end turned out is rather vital for the bigger story.

@drppr76 5 жыл бұрын

The book I plan on writing has plenty of inciting incidents until one near the end that actually makes one of the main protagonists fight back against the antagonists - I think Vivien here as good ideas but I think you should stick with your ideas - and good luck with your book

@torbjornlekberg7756 5 жыл бұрын

@@drppr76 You have a fair point. Thank you, and good luck with your book as well.

@drppr76 5 жыл бұрын

Thank You

@aiden5478 3 жыл бұрын

what happens if the protagonist is the catalyst behind the inciting incident? what if he choose it?

@jge8144 5 жыл бұрын

Hi Vivien! I was wondering if u know any writing videos about when to use words like "that" "then" "begin", etc, lol! Anyone else can answer this, though!

@marcusvee6424 5 жыл бұрын

Ha, that was easy, if I understood your question, our lovely Vivien produced this video 2 years ago: "29 Words to Cut From Your Novel" kzfaq.info/get/bejne/p86GZ8-k19yxfn0.html (thumbs up)

@jge8144 5 жыл бұрын

@@marcusvee6424 ok, thanks!

@Zn0ZY 5 жыл бұрын

So basically, it's a dramatic "beware danger" sign before a minefield?

@KutWrite 5 жыл бұрын

LOL "Three months... she's growing up way too fast." Yes, I think an "I.I." case study would be great!

@drppr76 5 жыл бұрын

These are 8 tips or ideas Vivien

@TylerNOS386277 5 жыл бұрын

In the literary fiction novel I'm writing, the story starts in the aftermath of the inciting incident. The story is the walk through of how the presumed MC's life now is, and you get to see the downward spiral of his mental health; but the reader has no idea why these things are happening. - The story is filled with several false trails, leaving the reader unsure of what exactly the plot is, and eventually even questioning who the actual MC is. As the reader continues, a grand box of puzzle pieces begins to take shape; but as the image becomes more clear with the countless sprinkled clues of information, it actually creates more questions for the reader. - In the end, there are several grand Reveals and Twists, but the true inciting incident is never actually stated or depicted. Learning the truth about the mystery requires a clever reader to unravel the story themselves. In a way, it's like a mystery novel that forces the audience to be the detective; but I assure you, it's not a mystery novel.

@kerodelkigh 4 жыл бұрын

Could that be her going back in time. She doesn’t know she’s back in time until end of the chapter

@ericveneto1593 3 жыл бұрын

8 guidelines

@MeadowClary 5 жыл бұрын

Hi, thanks for your videos, which I generally like a lot. This inciting incidents video, however, had a lot of pinging going on in the background, as if texts kept coming in on your phone, and it was so distracting I just could not concentrate on what you were saying. I tried several times but couldn't. I think you had added them deliberately to highlight the points you were making but please don't do it again. I'll have to unsubscribe you otherwise, which I would hate to do. But what's the point if I can't concentrate on what you're saying because of all the irritating pings?

@bobsherwood4537 5 жыл бұрын

It was online for this one video; It was a counter for the amount of times she said 'Inciting incident.'' You don't have to worry about it happening again : )