Luke Skywalker didn't lift the X-Wing on the first try. David Goggins didn't break the pull-up record on his first attempt. Your characters shouldn't succeed immediately either. The try/fail cycle isn't just setbacks—it's a pattern of escalation and growth that transforms characters and captivates readers through meaningful failure.
Most writers obsess over creating exciting scenes—the car chases, the passionate kisses, the devastating betrayals. But they struggle with what comes after. Here's the secret: every story is built from alternating units of scene and sequel, and mastering this rhythm is the key to compelling plot construction.
That moment where a seemingly nobody flashbacks or flash-forwards to the moment that will give the reader the buy in. These powerful tools can build or relieve tension, but sometimes we miss the mark as we lose readers in the non-linear story. What if the most powerful part of your story isn't happening in the present?
Starting in medias res isn't about explosions or car chases—it's about emotional impact. True mastery means dropping readers into a moment that already matters, whether that's an emotional crisis, a conversation that changes everything, or a discovery that reshapes the story. It's meaningful disruption, not mindless spectacle.
Think your story needs to be either plot-driven OR character-driven? That's the biggest myth in writing. The truth is simpler: great stories use both. When Jason risks everything for a stranger during a high-speed chase, you learn his character through action. When Mr. Darcy quietly saves Lydia, plot reveals his true nature.
Kenneth W. Myers 