7 Essential Plot Moments

Your plot should be interspersed with certain tear-jerking or awe inspiring moments. Some of these are so powerful, they can determine the course of your entire book while others are the highlight of your work. Here are 7 plot moments so that you can write a plot that packs a punch.

1. Depravity

Dorian’s murder of Basil stood out to me as the single most depraved act in the book. It’s also the part I remember best- the senseless murder of the person who adores you. Evoking strong emotions like shock, disgust from the reader makes for a powerful read.

I Am Evil

2. Love at First Sight

Any Edith Wharton novel milks this moment for all its worth. These days, this moment has become so overused, even using the word “love” feels tricky. I would say love at first sight that comes at a great cost would make for a great story. Man falls in love with a woman who turns out to be a terrorist (I didn’t make that up, I saw it in a movie).

3. Reversal

"For his ambition, I killed him"

This can be a bad person deciding to become good or vice versa. Personally, I think when a good person decides to become bad, it’s more interesting. Readers are expecting the villain to have some humanity deep down in their corrupt little souls, but when a character you’ve trusted all along turns on you, the element of surprise is greater. “Et Tu Brute” is iconic for a reason, he was Caesar’s beloved friend, so his stab hurt more than the others ever could.

4. Fate Worse Than Death

People rely on death way too much when there’s a whole variety of worse fates you can pick from. Back to Edith Wharton, her protagonist tries to kill himself, but only gets injured badly and is paralyzed for the rest of his life. Living in poverty, living with guilt, living in disgrace are as powerful as death. In some ways, they are worse because at least suffering ends with death.

5. Standing Up For a Cause

"Because as long as I was in,
and in for good,
I might as well go the whole hog"

The more difficult the cause the better and best yet if it’s a lost cause. It always reflects the moral strength of the character. Huck Finn deciding to save Jim from the slave owners- many people feel the book should’ve ended at this moment because the book couldn’t get more heart-wrenching than that moment. Moreover, if your character fails the first time he stands up for a cause and succeeds the next time, it will make him seem more real. Only Tintin succeeds in first attempt at…life.

6. To Forgive, Divine

To forgive someone who stole your pencil is ridiculous, to forgive someone after they burnt down your house is beautiful. A compassion that is greater than what we find in this cruel world of ours is always satisfying. When the priest forgives Jean Val Jean in Les Miserables, it makes an equal impact on both the convict and the readers- he becomes an honest man, we rent the Les Miserables DVD.

7. Loss of Moral Code

The opposite of the point above, when a person knowingly ignores his conscience. Amir’s abandonment of Hassan in the Kite Runner is so powerful, the entire novel is spun around it. Even the cover of my copy has the scene of Amir glancing around the corner and watching the evil guy have his way with Hassan.