Part One
- Inciting Incident:
What happens to the protagonist to put him unavoidably in the path of the antagonist?
Rowan decides, after understanding the need to do more activities and immerse himself in more social situations, to give horse riding a shot. It is something he’d never really thought of doing, but seeing as there were so many stables around his area it was a convenient option. He just so happens to pick Four Oaks, the same stable where Marni works.
- Internal Initial Conflict (call to action):
What does your protagonist most want? Why can’t he have it? How will he try to get it?
In a small section of the story, Rowan’s initial main want is to clean up his act. However, Marni will quickly replace this, but his need to clean himself up will still sit alongside the story.
Marni’s response to Rowan is not a good one. She see’s him as dirty, unkempt and bad spirited. It makes interaction between them uncomfortable and unsavoury. Rowan will work extremely hard to get Marni to reciprocate his feelings for her, and he tries in many different ways; some good, and some not so good.
- External Initial Conflict (call to action):
What does your protagonist want to accomplish or obtain (physically)? How will he go about it?
Rowan is desperately seeking stability to his current reckless life. His unbridled powers cause him great confusion and fear and his addiction to alcohol leads to late nights, lie ins and a bad mood. These factors put Rowan in a cycle of misery and depression until one day he understands that he can’t go on like this and needs to start taking steps to becoming a better person, and lead a more fulfilling life. He decides to try to clean himself up, getting a new job and immersing himself in social activities. This brings him to encounter Marni, who then becomes his main want as he strives to become better not only for himself, but for her too.
- Woven-in Back story, Vital Information:
What happened before the inciting incident that we must know to understand the story?
See Character Bios.
Part Two
- Internal Conflict (obstacles):
Why is your protagonist hesitant to strive for his goals? What (emotionally) makes him falter?
Rowan’s depressive cycle and bad behaviour have been set in for many years. His repulsiveness and self-reliability have led to him being a lone-wolf which in turns makes it difficult to socialise with others and depend on others for support. He is worried to rely on others and feels life would be better led with only himself to depend on.
- External Conflict (obstacles):
What stands in the way of your protagonist’s goals? What will happen to him if she fails?
His appearance is intimidating, and his manner (when trying to be social) awkward. He constantly worries that his magic will cause harm to others or lead to others rejecting him and labeling him as a freak. Yet he knows that he must change his lifestyle because, other than an early grave, Rowan is truly lonely and unhappy and bordering on the edge of suicide.
- Internal Higher Conflict (obstacles heighten):
Why should your protagonist turn back now? Why doesn’t he? What’s at stake?
Although depressed and lonely, life for Rowan is certainly easier alone than it is surrounded by people. He doesn’t have to answer to anyone, or remember to phone a friend, pick someone out, clean his apartment for visits and the higher fact of the matter is that he doesn’t have to experience the heavy emotions that come with the loss of a friend. Yet Rowan has one attribute in his favour; his stubbornness which battles through and pushes him on to achieve his goals to be social and clean up his act. After all, his sanity and well-being are at stake.
- External Higher Conflict (obstacles heighten):
Who or what is trying to stop your protagonist? Why?
Mainly his alcohol addiction and his magic. It is very easy for Rowan to fall back into the void of escapism that alcohol offers him, that lucid, unfeeling and safe place that allows him uninterrupted sleep. His magic terrifies him. The thought of it erupting whilst out and about and then being locked up for testing or admitted to some asylum makes him extremely wary of others.
- Internal Highest Conflict (obstacles intensify):
What makes your protagonist realize the unavoidable importance of his original goal? What gives it new meaning?
As Rowan takes the steps he needs to to clean up, he encounters Marni, a spirited and vibrant woman who he takes to very quickly. She is not quick to return the affection and he finds himself striving more and more to become the man he believes she needs him to be.
- External Highest Conflict (obstacles intensify):
How does the antagonist get the best of your protagonist? What could make it worse? What happens to make him believe that there is no way to win?
Marni constantly throws rejection at Rowan and never takes him seriously, even when he is trying very hard. Eventually, she says that she does not want him to ride the horses at Four Oaks anymore, that there are plenty of other places he could go. Rowan decides to purchase his own horse and have it stabled at Four Oaks. This causes Marni to freak out, although there is nothing she can do about it. Upon next seeing Rowan, she releases full out rage on him and says some pretty hurtful things. Rowan’s magic is kindled and unknowingly he summons several serpents into the stables which in turn, seep their poisonous venom into the horses. Every horse in a row of the stables is killed and Rowan is filled with horror. He see’s Marni break down with emotion and he realises that he had been fooling himself into thinking that he could ever lead a “normal life”.
- Internal Point of No Return (stakes):
What happens to change your protagonist so that he’ll never be the same again?
When Rowan eventually works out that he is descended from a line of Healers that had power over serpents. Understanding that his power is actually not all bad and that he can also heal makes him feel a lot better about it. There is a sense of sadness that perhaps he could have done something more for his parents (see Rowan character bio) but knowing that is magic is not dark and evil leads to Rowan embracing his powers and understand that he needs to harness his abilities to be able to use them for the good of others.
- External Point of No Return (stakes):
What makes it impossible for your protagonist to go back, to give up?
Rowan has a heartwarming moment with Marni and reveals to her what happened to him as a child (see character bio) and how it went on to lead to his life becoming dark and empty. He reveals the depth of the depression he reached and goes as far as to tell her about his secret powers. Marni extends her affections at this moment. She understands that her constant rejection could push him back into the empty void he came from and she yearns to help him understand and explore his power even though she is afraid.
- Darkest Hour:
What is the worst possible thing that could happen to your protagonist?
Having to accept Marni’s rejection 100% and retire back into his gloomy self with no prospects. The thought makes him sick to his stomach.
- Turning Point:
How does your protagonist realize he must continue to fight? How does he decide to risk everything? What new approach or idea has he come up with to battle on?
When Rowan first embarks on his social journey to become a better person, he encounters many wobbles and moments where he withdraws back into the safety of his solitude. However, when he sets eyes on Marni he finds himself needing to be around her, wanting to impress her and it spurs him on. Seeing has he really has nothing to lose, setting his sights on her gave him a sense of true purpose and one that he never wants to let go of.
Part Three
- Internal Climax:
What does your protagonist realize at the crucial moment? What does he learn? Overcome?
He realises that he truly was never born to be alone. That Marni was the reason he was alive. He would give up everything to be with her and when he realises that she loves him regardless of everything he ever thought to be a flaw about himself, it leads to a complete change of perspective for him. A greater purpose, not for himself, but to ensure Marni’s eternal happiness.
^(preferably simultaneous)v
- External Climax:
How does your protagonist defeat your antagonist?
Marni finally crumbles under Rowan’s open admission about how he used to lead his life and finding out about his powers that he didn’t understand. She reflects on all of his resolve and all of her rejection and she finally makes the decision, based on all of that, to return his affections as her heart so wants.
- Resolution (external):
What does defeating the antagonist accomplish? How are things different?
Rowan’s lifestyle is completely different. He has moved to a cleaner, more modern apartment and the grimace that once shadowed his face has been replaced by a more contented, accepting look. He is more confident and takes more consideration over how he converses with others.
- Character Growth (internal):
How has your protagonist changed?
Rowan grows into a vibrant man. Although sometimes self-conscious and jealous, he revels in the fact that Marni has accepted him.
