First Obstacle

Act Two is the moment of confrontation. Time for trouble to begin. A first obstacle blocks the way. A nasty encounter, an opponent, someone dropping out of a team, a technical problem in a race, lack of money for a project or bad weather brings everything to a halt. This first problem can be “dramatic”. But it is nothing compared to the increasingly difficult tasks that await your hero.

EXERCISE 27 According to your hero’s aim, make him/her deal with a first obstacle. Think of several and keep the one that fits your story best.

HELP The obstacles must respect the principle of dramatic progression and be increasingly difficult to overcome.

Make sure you create situations of increasing conflict for your hero.