Inciting Incident
Asked by Hadassah Waugh on September 4, 2020
Hi, Mr. Jenkins!
Does the inciting incident have to be in the 1st chapter? My novel has two protagonists, and the inciting incident happens about chapter 10 right now(will probably be sooner once I edit)
Here’s current summary of my first 10 chapters. Could you please tell me if you think this is okay for a complex, multi-protagonist story?
1 – meeting and caring about protagonist 1, a normal peasant boy
2- said protagonist meets up with mentor. Overtures of unease rising
3-we meet grandson of usurper, my other protagonist, and he gets commissioned to hunt down ‘False Prince’
4-we get to care about protagonist 2
5-we get to meet extremely important character, who is best friend of usurper‘s heir
6-usurper’s heir gathers team
7 usurper’s heir goes to town of protagonist 1
8-they clash
9-protagonist 1 commits treason
10-first doorway of no return. Protagonist 1 is arrested, and protagonist 2 has made moral choices he can’t turn back on.
This is about the 1/5 mark of my book.
Jerry's Answer
Yes, Hasasseh, that's way too slow a start and takes too long to get to the inciting incident. The faster you can accomplish all this, the better.
There should be ominous signs of foreboding as we quickly get to know the character and care about him. Then get on with things.