How to Write a CLIMAX (for ANY Genre!)

Ready to write an EPIC CLIMAX that has your readers on the edge of their seat? In this final episode of the 3 act story structure breakdown series, I'm going to show you the secret ingredient to an exciting climax (hint: it's NOT exploding spaceships!) What if I told you that most writers have fundamentally misunderstood The Climax? What if I told you that contemporary stories can be just as nerve-wracking as sci-fi adventures? Let's unpack the "Climactic Confrontation" and look at what REALLY hooks the reader's brain on your story.

🎥PREVIOUS VIDEOS IN THIS SERIES:
▶︎ACT 1
▶︎ACT 2
▶︎ACT 3

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✨ V A L U A B L E R E S O U R C E S✨

MORE VIDEOS YOU WOULD LIKE:

→ THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF YOUR STORY

→ HOW TO UNCOVER YOUR MC'S MISBELIEF

→ HOW TO WRITE POWERFUL SIDE CHARACTERS

→ HOW TO WRITE TWIST ANY PLOT

✨F O L L O W ✨

✨ A B O U T ✨
My name is Abbie Emmons I teach writers how to make their stories matter by harnessing the power and psychology of storytelling, transforming their ideas into a masterpiece, and creating a lifestyle that makes their author dreams come true.

Story isn’t about “what happens” — it’s about how what happens affects and transforms the characters. I believe that there is an exact science (a recipe, if you will) behind a perfect story. And if you know what ingredients you need, you can create your own perfect story with ease and confidence. That’s what we talk about every week on this channel – and if it’s something you’re into, be sure to subscribe and join this community!

✨C R E D I T S ✨
All movie clips and soundtracks used for educational purposes under the Fair Use law. In order of appearance: Star Wars: The Force Awakens, 12 Strong, Star Wars: Revenge Of The Sith, Sherlock, Divergent, Cinderella, Christopher Robin, The Greatest Game Ever Played, Narnia: Prince Caspian, The Lion King, It's A Wonderful Life, Saving Mr. Banks, Pride & Prejudice, and Star Wars: A New Hope.

[juliakauffman]

the absolute shade she throws on divergent every chance she gets is borderline ridiculous and I love it😂

[henrywayne]

Can we just take a moment to appreciate the brilliant editing? You’ve really taken your channel to the next level. Respect!

[Tardis]

Yes, yes, yes, and yes again. What Abbie says here about the end of your story and victory (8:27) is so right. I am a storyteller myself and I recommend this vlog to anyone developing a story.
edit: (11:57) Loosing an external conflict and winning the internal conflict at the same time is called an ironic ending. This is probably the most interesting ending, because it offers food for thought. You don't easily forget a story that ends like this.

[abigailjackson]

Sci-fi writer here! Just here to pop in and say science fiction stories can absolutely be character-driven and emotional, roiling with external AND internal conflict 😄 (I personally think all genre fiction stories should have both)

[ZaxorVonSkyler]

I like it when a book leaves questions unanswered and some problems unresolved. It makes it more realistic and keeps us wondering and talking about it long after its over.

[benoliver]

100 Days of Sunlight just delivered to me yesterday.... and I’m already done! I loved Weston- he’s such a strong character. I Absolutely loved the whole book, can’t wait for anything else you publish ❤️

[AndromedaMoon]

Who else high-fived Abbie through the screen?

[ArchiduquesaMA]

The manga/anime Monster by Urasawa has one of the best climax and ending in fiction, it's crazy how it absolutely served the themes and closed the plotholes at the same time it landed a plot twist and final punch in the gut for the reader. Flawless

[sumadey]

Phew!! I've been following this series and it is extremely helpful for my WIP, to say less. Thank you Abbie, for this whole series.

Can you do a series on writing Series too? I have an idea of one and it would be helpful if I can get your 'lessons' on it.

[knightmachine]

Did you ever feel that weird sense of nostalgia that appears after you finished reading that amazing work of art that you were enjoying so much to the point that you were even nervous to finish?

This series caused that in me. Truly a master if you can even make your videos about story-telling RIVETING. Bravo, Abbie.

[lanatherana]

Abbie being passionate about internal conflict gives me faith in humanity 👏 it’s just good to get a wholistic view on writing and really everything since writing an easily be applied to life.

[makaylafriend]

I know it has been two years since you made this series, but I just used all of the videos to help me create my stories outline and I am actually so excited about it. I always have story ideas, but can never seem to make an outline that makes sense. Thank you so much Abbie!

[taylorduarte]

Me when I got the notification: ITS WRITERS LIFE
😂😂😂😂👏👏🙌💛

[archanagavhale]

Yay!! I was waiting for this one. I sometimes think that Abbie, you were born for being an AUTHOR, you ARE born for being an AUTHOR! LITERALLY!! I am amazed after reading your book and watching you explaining a particular topic. I truly think that no one, ABSOLUTELY NO ONE CAN ELUCIDATE IT PERFECTLY THAN YOU Abbie!!

[nourfourti]

Hey Abbie! I'm in love with your 100 days of sunlight, and especially Weston's chapters! Your style of writing is really wonderful.

[jonathankey]

I wouldn’t advise “swapping out your victory” in order to leave a cliffhanger. You have to satisfy your reader. You can’t do all this build up but with no sense of resolution. Good cliff hangers just give partial resolution and open up other threads.

[Akaki]

Learned a lot and made tons of notes from this serie on 3 acts. Thanks a lot.

[georginakosi]

I love how this video felt like a Climax for this 3 Act story structure series. Music, endings from different movies, etc. 7:48 - 8:22, 9:13 - 9:35
For the sake of this awesome series...let's say Abbie's favourite sentences as OUR climax! I'll start the sentences, and finish them as an answer to this comment.
Story is not...
External conflict (the plot)...
The aha moment is...
Don't let your protagonist...
The theme is what your protagonist learns... (this is a REALLY LONG sentence)
Without external conflict, your story...
If I ever become a professional author, the only person I'm thanking all of my knowledge to is...YOU, ABBIE EMMONS! THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE FOR ALL OF US...NEVER EVER STOP THIS CHANNEL!!! PLEASE!! THANK YOU!!💛💛💛📚📚📚

[kinassasomething]

This was so good! I was really struggling with my climax because i was too focused on the plot/external conflict. Now I have a bunch of inspiration for how to make the climax matter!

[alyssabrewster]

This series has been extremely helpful as a new writer with ZERO experience with novel writing and science of story structure. You are so eloquently spoken and knowledgeable. Thanks Abbie! You're amazing!