I’m still at it – still reading “Plot & Structure” by Bell. I’m getting through it (hey, it’s a long book…sort of).

I’m in the same phase of my recovery as I was last week – brainstorming. I’m following Bell’s tips, but I’m not yet happy with the results, so I need to do some more brainstorming. Here’s the latest…

Three Acts – Two Doorways – One Novel

I’m familiar with the three act structure, but even though I know about it doesn’t mean I’ve ever paid much attention to it. Did you know that you have to go through doors to get to the next act? Yeah…no joking.

The doorways need to be “of no return” – they have to be events that push my main character into the next act without giving her another escape route. “You need to find a way to get him out of the ordinary and into the confrontation,” says Bell.

Just like I struggled with the Knockout ending, I’m struggling with my second doorway. The first one is pretty obvious, but what about the second? What can happen to force my hero and heroine together – what will make them face each and admit their feelings? Um…

I need another door. Right now I’ve got a mustard yellow vinyl accordian door with a chinsy magnetic closure. I need solid oak with a brushed nickle handle, and a hand-crafted stained glass window. But how do I find it?

I’m not sure just yet, that’s why I need to get back to brainstorming. I need to sit down and figure out what would motivate my heroine to action – what will make her lay it all down? Hmmm…I’ll figure it out.

QUESTION: Where do you find your doorways? How do you know whether or not a situation is one “of no return”?