By Jennifer Braddock – Editor
Ever read a story or watch a movie where nothing really happens? Where characters meander through scenes, conversations trail off, and by the end of the chapter, you’re still not sure why you read it? That’s the danger of a story without turning points.
Whether you’re plotting meticulously or flying by the seat of your pants, knowing how and when to shift the direction of your story can keep readers engaged and keep you from getting stuck.
What Is a Turning Point?
A turning point is the moment something changes: an emotional pivot, a decision made, an accident, or a revelation. It doesn’t have to be huge. A character forgetting the bathroom code and getting locked out in a moment of crisis can be just as pivotal as finding out their partner is cheating or the plane is about to crash. Big or small, the point is: the story should never stay still.
When your character says “yes” to something, whether that’s a job, a relationship, a journey, or a truth, the scene needs to end, pivot, or reveal consequences. Unless that “yes” leads to a new challenge or reversal, the scene is over. It’s time to cut and move to the next setup.
Small Turning Points Matter
If your story feels sluggish, ask: What’s changing in this scene? What’s the point of this moment?
- Did your character forget their lines in a school play? That’s a moment of embarrassment that could change their confidence.
- Did a dog bark at them in the street? Maybe that moment triggers a memory.
- Did they get a “yes” from a job interview? Great. What does that decision force them to face?
The story should always move. There are four essential turning points.
The Inciting Incident: The first major turning point is the moment that upsets your character’s ordinary world. It’s the spark. Your character gets fired, gets dumped, discovers a secret, gets an invitation they can’t refuse, or gets For example: by a spider. The incident forces them to make a choice or react.
- A woman opens a letter meant for someone else and learns her boss is lying about her.
- A teen forgets their backpack and ends up on a different bus that changes their life.
- A chef drops a fork, and a customer picks it up, the first spark of a love story.
These are all small events that open the door to a bigger story.
End of Act I: This is the point of no return where the character steps fully into the story. Maybe they lie to protect someone, and now they’re stuck in the lie. Maybe they say yes to an opportunity but realize it comes with serious risks. This moment defines the rest of the story.
From there, each turning point should push the character toward the climax—the biggest turning point of all, where change becomes permanent, and the story can go no further.
Story Climax: The climax is the highest point of tension in your story: emotionally, physically, or both. It’s when your character faces the biggest challenge, makes the ultimate decision, or comes to a painful truth. After this moment, the story can go no further.
The inciting incident, the end of Act I, and every small and large turning point lead to this. It’s the do-or-die, speak-now-or-forever-hold-your-peace, win-or-lose beat.
Examples:
- A character finally confesses their secret—and risks everything.
- The hero defeats the villain, but at great cost.
- A daughter walks away from her family, knowing she won’t come back.
Once the climax happens, there’s no need to keep building tension. The job now is to land the emotional plane, tie up loose ends, show the fallout, and let the reader breathe again. Let the end of your story ring and echo. Then wrap it up with a purpose rather than dragging your story out.
Denouement: Once the climax hits, the reader needs a moment to breathe. That’s why the denouement is important, as the final stretch where the consequences of the climax play out and the emotional arcs come full circle.
This is not the time to introduce new twists or subplots. Think of it as the last few moments after the storm has passed:
- The hero limps home.
- The lovers decide whether to try again.
- The family gathers around a dinner table that’s a little quieter but somehow stronger.
A good denouement answers lingering questions, shows how the world has changed, and gives your readers time to reflect. It’s the moment the character relaxes, looks at the horizon, and we know at that point that after all they’ve been through, they’ll never be the same.
Without it, the climax feels abrupt. With it, your story resonates.
Plotters vs. Pantsers: Turning Points Matter Either Way
Whether you outline every beat or discover the story as you write, keeping turning points in mind will help you stay on track. Don’t write to fill pages, write to shift the stakes. Every scene should have a before and an after. Something happens. A choice is made. A secret is revealed. A bus pulls out.
Your Call to Action!
Don’t get stuck, keep moving. When you hit a wall, look for a turn. Ask: What hasn’t changed yet? What needs to? Turning points don’t have to be explosions. They can be dropped forks, forgotten codes, or missed buses. What matters is that something shifts emotionally, physically, or in the plot. Keep those turns coming, and your story will never stall.
Revisit your draft. Look at each scene and ask, “What changes here? Where’s the turn?” Keep the motion going, and you’ll find your way from start to finish—without getting stuck in the middle.
Do you have questions or comments? Ask Besty Bot about the writing craft and how to publish your book with Best Chance Media!
Copy and Share this Post on Your Social Media:
🚨 Stuck in the middle of your story? You might be missing a turning point. Every scene should shift something: an emotion, a choice, a direction. Whether it’s a dropped fork or a life-changing “yes,” something must change.
✍️ Inciting incident? That’s your spark.
🎬 End of Act I? That’s your no-turning-back point.
🏁 Climax? That’s the final pivot before the end.
Whether you’re an outliner or a pantser, turning points are your best friend. Keep the story moving. Don’t write in circles, write to change. #WritingTips #StoryStructure #TurningPoints #AmWriting #FictionWriters #WritersOfInstagram #PlotTwist #KeepWriting #PantsersAndPlotters #WriteToChange https://bestchancemedia.org/2025/12/04/from-fork-drops-to-life-flops-writing-turning-points-that-keep-stories-moving/
