There are three extremely important elements of story creation. Therefore, it is highly important that all aspiring writers hone their skills in these three areas of fictional writing. These three elements are important for any type of story regardless of the story’s length be it a short story, novella, or novel. This three elements are: the beginning, the point-of-no-return, and the climax. Each of these elements has an important function in crafting a story and can either make or break it. If either of these story elements are lacking, nonsensical, or not present, the audience/reader of that story will either quickly forget it or worst – feel like they have wasted their time!

What is the story’s beginning?

There are numerous and varied definitions for a story’s ‘beginning’. However, I think the most helpful of ways an author can think of a beginning is this - the establishment of the promise of your story. Every story makes a promise to its reader, and that promise can be anything! (This is why there are so many different genres of fiction!) Depending on the type of fictional story you are writing (for example: a romance promises a love story or a thriller promises excitement), your promise will vary. However, in the end, that’s really what a beginning of the story is: crafting and setting up a promise to your readers.

What is the point-of-no-return?

The point-of-no-return is the scene, act, or chapter of a story that ‘seals the character(s) fate’. This is generally were the middle of a novel starts. It’s the scene were the audience/reader realizes that the characters can’t go back and must face whatever trials and problems that await them during the tale.

What is the climax?

Most aspiring writers mistakenly believe that the climax is the end of the tale. Wrong! The climax is where the beginning’s promise is fulfilled. If you are a romance’s writer – that character must find love, or you’ve failed your readers. If you’re a mystery writer – the main character must solve the crime. Failure to fulfill those initial promises in your stories will only make your readers feel disgusted or cheated. Therefore, your story has reached its climax when the story’s beginning promise is fulfilled.

So remember – whenever writing a fictional story, make sure that these three elements, the beginning’s promise, the point-of-no-return, and the climax, are well established because these three elements will determine if your story becomes a classic or is tossed into the trash!