Welcome back to The Pencil’s Edge.
We’ve all read stories that hook us early, build suspense through the middle, and deliver an unforgettable ending. That kind of pacing doesn’t happen by accident—it’s a product of solid structure, and in the world of story coaching, that means understanding the Story Arc.
Fictionary’s Story Arc isn’t a formula—it’s a framework. A way to make sure your story delivers what readers crave: forward momentum, rising tension, and meaningful change.
🧭 Why the Story Arc Matters
The Fictionary Story Arc draws from thousands of years of storytelling tradition. It helps writers and editors evaluate a manuscript’s shape, ensuring the key events happen in a sequence—and at a pace—that keeps readers invested.
A compelling story arc includes five pivotal scenes:
- Inciting Incident
- Plot Point One
- Middle Event
- Plot Point Two
- Climax
Each event plays a distinct and necessary role in your protagonist’s journey. When one is missing—or out of place—readers may not know why, but they’ll feel something’s off.
📊 Using the Story Arc Element in Fictionary
When you import your manuscript into StoryCoach, it takes a first pass at identifying these key events. But ultimately, it’s up to you—the writer or editor—to decide which scenes truly anchor the story.
If the automatically tagged key scenes make sense, great! But if not, you can revise:
- Use the Evaluate Page to update scene purposes
- Adjust scene positioning to bring major events into the right ranges
- Use the Visualize Page to track the Story Arc and see how your story flows
⏱ Ideal Placement of Key Scenes
Here’s a quick reference for where your five key scenes should generally land:
| Scene Type | Ideal Range |
|---|---|
| Inciting Incident | 0–15% |
| Plot Point One | ~25% |
| Middle | ~50% |
| Plot Point Two | ~75% |
| Climax | 85–95% |
These aren’t rigid rules—they’re guideposts. But straying too far from them without purpose can slow your story or confuse readers.
🔍 Let’s Look at Each Scene in Detail
1️⃣ Inciting Incident
This is the moment that disrupts your protagonist’s ordinary world and introduces the central problem. 📍 Should occur in the first 15% 💡 Tip: Let readers experience it—don’t just summarize it in backstory.
2️⃣ Plot Point One
The point of no return. Your protagonist decides to engage with the conflict. 📍 Should occur around 25% 💡 Example: Luke Skywalker chooses to leave Tatooine. He’s all in.
3️⃣ Middle (Midpoint Shift)
The story shifts. Your protagonist stops reacting and starts acting. 📍 Occurs around the 50% mark 💡 Example: Dorothy discovers the Wizard is just a man behind a curtain—and changes course.
4️⃣ Plot Point Two
Your protagonist hits a low point. They’ve tried, and things just got worse. 📍 Usually around 75% 💡 Sometimes called: “Dark Night of the Soul” or “All Is Lost”
5️⃣ Climax
The ultimate test. Your protagonist must face their biggest obstacle and determine their own fate. 📍 Typically occurs at 90% 💡 Must Include: The protagonist. This is their moment.
🎯 Resolution
Everything that happens after the climax. Tie up loose ends. Offer payoff. Show change.
📌 When to Reevaluate Your Arc
Your story may need attention if:
- A key event is missing
- A key event happens too early or late
- A key event feels emotionally flat
- The protagonist isn’t present during pivotal moments
The Story Arc isn’t about checking boxes—it’s about building an emotional journey that lands.
🧠 Advice for Writers
As you revise your manuscript:
- Map the five key scenes using Fictionary’s Story Arc insight
- Ask: Is my protagonist at the center of each one?
- Consider pacing: Do these events escalate tension and raise the stakes?
- Use scene names and purpose tags to double-check placement and focus
If a scene doesn’t move the arc forward, ask yourself—does it really belong?
🔄 Final Thought
A great story doesn’t just wander—it builds. It compels. It climaxes. The Story Arc is the narrative engine that makes that possible.
Structure your novel with intention—and give readers a story they’ll feel in their bones.
The Pencil Driven Life 