These inciting incident examples
will hopefully give you some inspiration for the inciting incident in your own story!
But first, an ‘inciting incident’ definition, for those who need it!
The inciting incident kicks the story into gear. It’s the event or choice that shakes up the main character’s normal life.
If you’re writing a novel, with the possible exception of a literary or experimental novel, you don’t want to wait too long for the inciting incident. We usually want to see it in the first or second chapter. Sometimes, we see it on page one!
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Thank you,Bryn, for the “jumpstart”! I needed it!😉😊👍
I’m so glad, Linda! Thank you for reading!
My story that I’ve been editing, the inciting incident is when “Jane” accidentally finds her driver’s license and discovers she’s really Emily. She has amnesia and was lied to by her “husband.”
In my WIP, Trisha get a phone call from her nine-year-old daughter at 10pm, who’s at her father’s for the weekend. A bang woke Hannah up and she finds her dad on the floor with blood on him, and he won’t wake up.
Oh, those both sound really good, Debby!
My jump start begins on Page 2. Hannah arrives home from volleyball camp, and the police chief reports the death of her entire family-father, mother, and younger brother. At 17 she is heir to a multi-million dollar mfg. company and a senior in high school. Thank you for all! your helps.
Hi Diane! That is such a dramatic inciting incident. Love it that it’s on page two! Thanks for reading!
My current WIP is a third in series and my characters (side characters at the time) were reunited in book two during a horrific attack. Book three begins with the victim’s experience during that attack, and then flashes to three months later with the characters—former lovers—hiding out while the victim recovers… and they are forced to deal with each other after a two year separation. So far so good?
That sounds really good, Ro!
As usual, you’ve given us an excellent list to get started or provide a plot twist. Thank you Bryn!
Hi Naomi! I’m so glad you like it. Thank you for reading!
Great list, Bryn!
In my current fantasy, a weaver feels she has been betrayed by her woven piece so she sells a magic tapestry.
That’s a good one, Jessie!
These are wonderful. I’m actually using one at the moment.
Aw YAY! I’m so glad! Hope you’re having a good week, Denise!