Welcome to the Helping Writers Become Authors Podcast. I'm K M. Wyland and I am here to take you

deep with story theory, writing techniques, and the incredible wisdom of story.

I believe story is the greatest power on this earth,

and that as writers, we carry the torch of wielding that power

with responsibility, passion, and skill.

There is no such thing as just a story.

Today, it is my honor and my purpose

to help you write your best story,

astound the world, and maybe change your life.

Hello and welcome.

You're listening to Secrets of Story Structure Part 6, the first half of the second act.

Every segment of a story offers its own challenges, but perhaps none leaves writers more bewildered than the second act.

At least beginnings and endings provide a checklist of things to accomplish.

The middle of the story, on the other hand, is a yawning blank.

You may feel like you're entirely without a guide as you try to move your characters toward

where they need to be for the ending to work.

Fortunately, if you pay attention to story structure, you'll find that the middle of the story has a checklist all its own.

The second act is the largest part of your story comprising roughly 50%.

It begins after the first plot point at the 25% mark and continues until the third

plot point at the 75% mark. Within the second act we find three structural beats, once again falling at eighths within the overall structural timing

The first pinch point at the 37% mark the midpoint or second plot point at the 50% mark and the second pinch point at the 62% mark.

This week we will discuss the first half of the second act which includes the first pinch point.

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