Element 4 – Inciting Incident

Here we are – everything is going swimmingly. You’ve got a flawed MC (internal conflict), or one who’s got a problem (external conflict) or one who’s dealing with both (better yet!). You’ve introduced your story world, decided whether your MC exists in a SOP or is seeking their version of one. And you’ve set up some lovely tension between what your MC wants and what they need.

Time to kick the tires and light the fires…of imagination!

[image error]Thomas Skirde from Pixabay" data-medium-file="https://mkmartinwriter.files.wordpres..." data-large-file="https://mkmartinwriter.files.wordpres..." src="https://mkmartinwriter.files.wordpres..." alt="" class="wp-image-3858" style="width:606px;height:auto" />Image by Thomas Skirde from Pixabay

The Inciting Incident is an event that changes the MC’s world, making it out of the question for them to stay in their starting situation. It’s possible for the Inciting Incident to not actually involve the MC at all. They might not even be aware of the Inciting Incident.

Or maybe they are. Often the Inciting Incident is also the Call to Adventure.

Let’s look at some examples of Inciting Incidents that stand alone and ones what are also the Call to Adventure.

Inciting Incidents alone

War breaks out far awayA natural disaster occursAn ancient relic is found

Inciting Incident – Call to Adventure

War breaks out and your MC is a soldierThe first day of schoolMC wins the lottery

Some thing to consider: The Inciting Incident should happen early, should be fast*, should be out of the MC’s control, should interrupt the MC’s life or change their life especially if it’s combined with the Call to Adventure.

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* It’s okay to use a few scenes to set up the Inciting Incident, but don’t drag it out. Get in, get out, get on with the story.