How to Write the First Plot Point of a Story

What's up, my friend? Today we're continuing our breakdown of the 3-act story structure – and we're talking all about the 1ST PLOT POINT (aka: the first big decision your protagonist makes after the inciting incident.) Comment below and tell me: what's a great example of a first plot point?

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✨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. Sense And Sensibility (2008) copyright BBC One and BBC Masterpiece Classic. Poldark (2015) copyright BBC One and BBC Masterpiece Classic.

[MillieFlorenceAuthor]

One that comes to mind is the first plot point in the Hunger Games, when Katniess chooses to take her sister's place at the reaping. She decides that going through the Hunger Games herself would be less painful than having to watch her little sister go through it and living with the guilt the rest of her life.

[picasso]

“We must all suffer one of two things: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. The difference is discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs tons.” - Jim Rohn

[jr]

This series is the bomb. WHEN I sell my book, I'm thanking you in my acknowledgements for sure

[liamurati]

That "staying in bed" vs "catching that flight" analogy is just perfect lol! Thank you Abbie, such great content as usual.

[SaraOLN]

It would be awesome if you made a separate psychology series with things that are good to know when it comes to writing 😊.

[sarahmatthews]

I swear, I'm addicted to your channel. Every Wednesday is known as Abbiee Day in my home. I love you girl!

[g.t.]

Writing a story is by far the most stressful experience ever, holy god. Everytime you think it's going well you reach yet another wall. Tbh the only thing keeping me going is the pure love I have for these characthers.

[seadnamaccasarlaigh]

A student at rest stays at rest, until acted upon by a large enough panic

[sammillward]

One first plot point that comes to mind for me is in Lord of the Rings when Frodo decides to leave with the ring on the quest driving the rest of the story. He decides the pain of leaving his comfortable life in the Shire is less painful than staying in the shire and doing nothing after learning that the ring is sinister and dangerous.

[kelleycanwrite]

I think your segment in this video about redefining pain in our minds has helped me to understand why I have such a hard time self-motivating myself to make time for writing. I know I am capable of dedicating myself to hard work. Otherwise, I never could have not only kept but excelled at so many full-time minimum wage jobs in the past. Some that I absolutely hated. You have no idea how much the self-criticizing from this contradiction has been weighing on me. Thank You so much!

[nikkoleburns]

I really like this series Abbie! Because of you I have fallen in love with the art of storytelling and because of that I have enjoyed watching reading stories a whole that more than I use to.
Thank you for all the time you put into this Abbie!

[ashamallesh]

I started out writing my second novel (my first is lost in my computer somewhere) and I had a solid idea of how my characters and plot would go about. But finding Abbie the last week was life changing. I now have so many tools to keep me on track to finish this book rather than just info dumping or side-tracking into 10 different things. I am definitely thankful for your directions because now the dream of writing my own novel is not as daunting as it seemed.

[naomijohns]

Have you considered doing book/movie reviews from a writer's perspective? That is something I would love to see!

[carlacalvert]

Well, now I have to rewatch Poldark and Sense and Sensibility (all versions!) lol
All kidding aside, this is another fantastic video! You are teaching this old dog new tricks and in such a way that I don't feel like an idiot for not grasping these craft points. Please continue and thank you for sharing so much of yourself with the writing community!

[reveoncelink]

You're doing my favorite thing; human psychology! I love this series and let me tell you, I am just a teenager but when I sell my books and write a compelling story for my audience, you're so going to be in the acknowledgment section! Thank you!

[CallieCrossroad]

Once again, another fantastic video! You're videos seriously give me the drive to keep going with my story.


And as a first plot point, I have to turn to my favorite SciFi movie War of the Worlds with Tom Cruise.
The main character, Ray, is a divorced dad who has his estranged kids visiting for the weekend, only to have aliens beam down in lighting and start to vaporize everyone into dust. Since Ray starts out as a bitter and self-absorbed person, his immediate choice isn't purely to get him and his kids to safety as a dad should, it's to get the kids to their mom's house so he can dump them on her so that he wouldn't have to deal with them.


I love this because it isn't necessarily something noble or honorable, it's a selfish and fear-driven decision that would make Ray's life, in his opinion, a lot easier.

[chaeyoungvideos]

Come on abbie, I'm trying to do homework and you notify me with another fire video :(

[tdijon]

The most difficult part of writing for me has been organizing the overall structure. This series has been wonderful, and your template has been IMMENSELY helpful.

[genrole]

I never thought I'd get life lessons out of this series but that stuff about comparing your pain to something more significant in order to push you to do the things you really need is really helpful! Thanks!

[SmolTigerBean]

I just discovered your channel through your playlists, I'm a young French author and I can't thank you enough for all of your advices and tips ! Just had a look on your different templates, I think it will help me a lot, thanks again for everything !