Planning The Third Act

I’m going to keep this one pretty short and sweet tonight, even though it’s the most important part of your entire story: planning the third Act.

You know the drill by now, after all.  We’ve filled in Acts 1 with scenes that answered the questions you had about your character.  We split Act 2 building our characters up and knocking them down.  

The third act is where the audience sees the change your character has experienced through the entire journey. It is here that the tears begin to fall as people have fallen in love with your character and now they watch as they get tested one last time.

Act 3

Act three is all about resolution, and getting there.  I think out of everything, Act 3 can be the toughest to fulfill.  You set up the characters in Act 1, you torture them in Act 2, so how do you pay all of that build up and torture off?

That’s for you to decide.  

You know, from when we first started to plot things out, where you wanted your character to head towards.  Hopefully, while you were plotting you had that direction in mind.  So now you get the chance to get your character to embrace the change.  

For example, Luke has to decide to trust in The Force or use his targeting computer in Star Wars. He hesitates before trusting in the mystical power and saving the day.

So make cards on how your character changes to meet the ending.  Once you have those out, make sure that there is conflict, just like we’ve done every time so far.  

The Road Map

By the end of everything, you should have wrapped up the story.  So go back and look at all those cards you had for Act 1 and make sure that you’ve paid them off here.  

Conversely, if you found that you wanted to do something different or if a new idea popped up in your head, make sure that you go back and check to make sure that it’s set up in Act 1.  Your character shouldn’t suddenly develop a drinking problem at the end of Act 3.  

‘If in Act I you have a pistol hanging on the wall, then it must fire in the last act’. 

https://www.nownovel.com/blog/use-chekhovs-gun/

So if you want something to happen in Act 3, make sure to show it off in Act 1.  

The same holds true for your characters.  Make sure that they have the ability to change established in Act 1.  

Wrap up

We’re almost into the home stretch.  I’m not going to lie, I have a lot to do in the next few days to get me all setup.  

How’s your prep going?  Do you have everything ready to go?  

Make sure you check out my Writing & Creativity hub, where you can find more guides, exercises, tips, and more.

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