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Three Key Scenes

There is the holy trinity in the Christian religion, the holy trinity as a culinary term in all sorts of cuisine and, I hope it is not sacrilege, the holy trinity in stories. Perhaps it’s a bit wacky to use the term in plot… what can I say?

The three cornerstone scenes in all novels, memoirs and screenplays are:
  • The End of the Beginning
  • The Crisis
  • The Climax

However, there is another trio that is my very favorite in the Universal Storybecause of the power these three scenes produce in stories and in our lives as writers and people.

  • The build-up to
  • The Crisis
  • The threshold
I’ve been admonished for being a bit heavy-handed in these three videos. Please forgive me. My passion often overtakes me.
Click on green highlighted plot concepts for further explanations via video. Each time a concept is referenced you are directed to new information.

Written by:
Martha Alderson
Published on:
January 27, 2011
Thoughts:
11 Comments

Categories: crossing the threshold, importance of the climax, plot whisperer, the end of the beginning scene, the trinity in stories, writing the crisis

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sarah Allen

    January 27, 2011 at 5:26 pm

    For some reason I have not yet found these videos, but now I have 🙂 I am so glad I have, too, and I'm very excited to go through them and learn everything I can. Thank you for doing this!

    Sarah Allen
    (my creative writing blog)

    Reply
  2. Plot Whisperer

    January 28, 2011 at 4:38 pm

    hmmm, I worry why you had not found these videos. This is all new to me!
    I'm glad you're finding the plot series helpful!
    Nothing better than feeling like a support to writers following their dreams…

    Reply
  3. ttv

    February 1, 2011 at 1:09 pm

    that's a nice post. and very informational.

    Reply
  4. T. Forehand

    February 1, 2011 at 8:17 pm

    This site is new to me and I cant wait to get your book. This is one of my weaknesses is keeping the plot complex and interesting. I tend to simplify too much.

    Terri
    http://terri-forehand.blogspot.com

    Reply
  5. Plot Whisperer

    February 1, 2011 at 9:32 pm

    Thank you, ttv, for your comments.

    Your enthusiasm, terr.forehand, lifts me up!

    Thank you both for your kind words.

    Reply
  6. Anonymous

    February 4, 2011 at 10:22 am

    I love your tips and suggestions thank you.Enjoying your book too. :O)

    Reply
  7. Plot Whisperer

    February 5, 2011 at 6:08 pm

    Thank you, Madeleine. Love to hear your kind words!

    Reply
  8. Colleen Shine Phillips

    February 9, 2011 at 2:37 pm

    Martha, I ate up your 21 steps yesterday on YouTube. You now have a new fan in Chile, South America. Do you have Step 22 out and I just can't find it? Please advise!!

    Reply
  9. Plot Whisperer

    February 9, 2011 at 3:56 pm

    Hi Colleen, I wonder if you know the writer in Chile who placed the Scene Tracker Kit order recently? Of course, I understand Chile is a large country, it's just so cool to have heard from two writers in Chile in the same week! Amazing…

    Step 21 is the most recent step. We plan to begin filming the steps for the end next week. I have a deadline for a book I'm finishing up first.

    Thank you for you enthusiasm and your patience.

    In the meantime, I did film a bit about the details for the contest. Win and come stay for the night in lovely Santa Cruz or win a free plot consultation from me.

    http://www.youtube.com/user/marthaalderson#p/u/0/6WZV4uPI1rg

    Thanks again!

    Reply
  10. Colleen Shine Phillips

    February 9, 2011 at 9:32 pm

    Oh, my! That IS amazing. I have no idea who that writer in Chile might be, but I sure would like to know. I assume you can't reveal her/his identity, but maybe you could ask? I don't know any other writers in Chile, and it would be awesome to hook up. I will be waiting for Step 22. I checked out the contest and even though I lived in Santa Cruz while in grammar school, I don't recognize all the landmarks. Doesn't matter. I love the place! Thank you for responding. And if the Chile writer is willing to reveal who he or she is, please let me know. Thanks again, Martha.

    Reply
  11. term paper

    November 21, 2011 at 2:32 pm

    Very interesting post! Thanks.

    Reply

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