Write Your Novel Step by Step (108)

Man Made follows a mysterious force as it sweeps around the globe erasing anything man made - from buildings, vehicles, and technology to medicines, clothing, and dental work.

Governments stagger under the panic, religions are at a loss for an explanation, scientists strive for any means to stop or divert the phenomenon, and the world’s population from families to individuals struggle to prepare for The Event, which will drive humanity back beyond the stone age.

The Event is coming.

Are you prepared?

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~ Step 108 ~

Situational Relationship Climax – Act Three

Unlike structural relationships, the nature of situational relationships can change or threaten to change over the course of the story. In act two, you have already outlined the kinds of changes that are being threatened. Now, in act three, it is time to revisit these threatened or actual changes and put the relationships to the test.

For example, if in act two Jane was Tom's boss, and he was up for a promotion, in act three he gets it, making Tom Jane's boss. But, if in act two Tom had already been promoted over Jane, he gets demoted again, back into her department.

To reach maximum tension, the situational relationship does not actually have to change, but it must at least reach the maximum potential to change. Whether it does or not is the actual moment of climax.

Keep in mind that not all relationships require stress and climax. But at least some of them need to evolve in that manner to involve your reader/audience.

For this step, develop and describe the rising tension and climax of each situational relationship as it occurs in act three.