The ‘catch’ in an Inciting Incident

Writing theory is a buffet of choice and should be treated as such!

I recently heard about Jill Chamberlain’s Nutshell Technique. There’s plenty of interesting facets to it and overall is quite good at getting the nutshell of an idea ‘there’, but the part that intrigued me most was the catch in her structure.

What is the catch?

It is the protagonist getting their opening want. Rather than the protagonist getting a over arching want, it’s an opening want that pertains to their flaw. They get what they want, but it’s nowhere really as good as they hoped.

For example, let’s say Carl wants to earn more money at his job, he’s sick of going unnoticed. But he can’t build up the courage to ask for a raise, he hates confrontation. Instead he searches endlessly for other jobs. Just as he’s at his wits end the best job comes available.

It’s better money than his current job.

He’s qualified.

He nails the interview, convincing the interview board of his dedication to the job advertised.

But here’s the catch.

He rocks up for his first day to find that his new boss is the Devil himself. He now works at Hell inc. He’s just sold his soul…

A standard idea, but it creates intrigue no less. We didn’t even add intriguing back story either!

But it is a great technique to keep in the toolbox.

Who’d a thought?

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