Trouble arrives after the climax. The story continues... for quite awhile, many scenes, in some of which the protagonist is downright passive. Finally, comes the resolution and true end.
When the writer complains how her subplots carry the same weight as the main plot, she reveals the solution to her problem. Rather than compete with the through-line of the story, subplots serve the primary plot. What is the primary plot? The protagonist's core conflict.
In this instance, the core conflict centers around accepting and understanding the gift the protagonist is born with and has denied her entire life. Yes, finding and facing her father is key to the protagonist's successful completion to her goal. The true climax, however, shows the protagonist using her gift consciously. She doesn't have to be successful. Sometimes, failure reveals the true gift is a nice plot twist. Or, as the writer says: sometimes when you look for one thing, you find something else you truly need instead. The protagonist does have to take action showing her embracing her gift.
For more support about the Climax and ending of your story:
1) Chapter 11 and 12 of: The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master
Chapter 15 of: The Plot Whisperer Workbook: Step by Step Exercises to Help You Create Compelling Stories
2) Watch:
- How to Create a Climax
- The Climax using in Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult
3) Begin writing now to complete an entire draft of your novel, memoir, screenplay in time for PLOTWRIMO, beginning December 1st.
For more tips about how to use plot and the Universal Story in your novel, memoir or screenplay, visit:
