Keys to Writing Writing a Powerful “Aha!” Moment

The "aha moment" is one of the most important parts of your ENTIRE story! In this episode, we're diving into your character's realization and transformation... and how to leave a lasting impact on your audience. This is YOUR moment - the reason why you wanted to write this story in the first place! We're going to break this down step-by-step. So grab a notebook and let's get started!
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[@ronbeck201]

My A-Ha moment, "Take on me, take me on". Maybe I'll get to writing on my story about December.

[@imaginepageant]

This gave me a couple of Aha moments about my story and its internal conflict, and how I shared my protagonist’s misbelief 20+ years ago as a teenager. I’m honestly mindblown that I’d never made the connection before. Thank you!

[@rachelledellavecchia4951]

My female main character's journey is in a way mirroring my own and she eventually gets to fulfill the dreams and desires i currently can't fulfill. I've been putting off the deep dive into the character profile because i have to relive my own painful journey, but it seems like its a huge must to clarify the misbelief and aha moments.

[@JustClaude13]

There are also small aha moments, like realizing that even if they won't take you to the theater, you shouldn't burn the only copy of your sister's manuscript. I want to see the Troma version of that story.

[@catporter8417]

"It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known." Sydney Carton's character Aha moment blew my mind back in high school reading Dickens' Tale of Two Cities. Still gives me the shivers.

[@Syd_LovesToDraw]

I struggle with my character’s internal conflicts, but I watch all of y’all’s videos and try my best. I know they are Abbie’s FAVORITE ingredient, and Kate does them well, too.😂

[@dukeofdenver]

I'm literally writing the AHA moment in my novel RIGHT NOW😂 This video came at the perfect time❤

[@EddieCaplan]

I'm glad you referenced It's a Wonderful Life and A Christmas Carol. Those two examples are exactly the Aha structure my current work will use. They give me confidence that structure will work for me too.

[@OlettaLiano]

For me, the biggest “aha” moment happened at the end of The Matrix when they resolved all of the major sub-plots together at the same time. Within just a few seconds, Neo realized Trinity did love him, he really was the one, and he was a hacker living in a computer simulation so he could rewrite the code and beat Agent Smith and his buddies. That taught me to always try to resolve the sub-plots as close to each other as possible.

[@Aisyah_Heartly]

Internal conflict, Abbie's favourite ingredient and a key to a good story. Also, useful video.

[@psyduck2250]

YES I WANTED THIS VIDEO

[@Jeremy_Black92]

17:30 I'm currently polishing/strengthening the outline of my book. There are four characters who are parallels to the protagonist and tackle the central theme in four unique ways, with different misbeliefs that all essentially share the same root as the protagonist's. The protagonist has his aha moment before the climax and his transformation causes the others to have their aha moments during the climax, although since the story doesn't follow them and they're not seen again after the climax, the reader won't know for sure if they've actually received an aha moment. I want their arcs to end slightly ambiguous. I wonder how that will go over.

[@AtlanteanTimes]

I really enjoyed this discussion, thanks ladies. I'm working on a sci-fi / fantasy story, and this gave me a lot to think about with my characters. Look forward to the next discussion!

[@JayMan-hi2sb]

John Truby discusses the Aha! Moment in his book "The Anatomy Of Story". His term is the Self-Revelation & he regards it as the most important step of his 7 step & 22 step story structure. Abbie & Kate, thank you for this video.

[@shinei7266]

Off topic, may I know where your writing utensils are on the desk? I think it makes writing more comfortable ✨️💗

[@jaimesrk]

Hi, girls. First of all, I really love your podcast. It's not just the topics (which I love), but you two as well. It seems this year the episodes are less frequent compared to previous years. Did I miss an announcement saying that? It's totally okay if you have dialed it back, but I'd love to know so I can adjust my expectations.

[@joshepherd9095]

Thank you. This in-depth discussion came along at just the right moment. Now I can deepen my protagonist's response to a family issue.

[@TheDoctor398]

I was just outlining my aha moment yesterday!!!! This couldn’t come at a better time

[@thehomelessteddycomics3346]

Great insights. You should look for author Stacy James Meadows. Great episode that is very informative. ❤

[@lafandedadou491]

Thanks for that video ! It inspires me soo much everytime, it creates clicks in my head with my story and it helps me to dig more and more the internal conflicts of my characters, especially with this video because now I know more precisely where I want to take my character so it helps me to know which aspects of my story to focus on. I've got a brainstorming session during this video, and it makes me soo happy, just the feeling of my story that becomes much more tangible and real, I- I can't describe this, it's awesome (No, no, I didn't cry at all) 😂

[@mala019]

I have several aha moments throughout the novel, each more emotionally charged than the last. All of them serve completing the main character’s arc, each rising the stakes a little higher.

[@isaiasherrero7889]

Thanks so much for this! 🙏🏼

[@Spiara-Whitebirch]

You know what I want to know? How can I create a story as beautiful as Downton Abbey with the amount of characters that they have? For me personally I'm so attached to all the characters that it doesn't bother me to pin point a main character. Pretty much the Crowley family and the indentured servants are the main focal point obviously. I have made characters and I'm still building a plot but I want to find a way that I can accomplish writing a story where you can almost love all the characters. You almost know every downton abbey character individually and that's what I think makes the show so incredibly good. I want that for my own story characters.

[@BlueBelle277]

I was wondering where the Wednesday video was 😂

[@Syd_LovesToDraw]

Same bro😂 lol

[@Syd_LovesToDraw]

I wish they would post it on both of their channels❤️ it is a joint video after all

[@Aisyah_Heartly]

Same

[@MrZkoki]

I imprint a great deal of myself in my characters. Misbeliefs are integral. But sometimes it's hard to let go, be it fiction or real life. For example, I wish there was less struggle and more compatibility, even though that lends itself to non conflict and less gripping fiction. What are things worth without a fight ?

[@MrZkoki]

Subplots are especially useful, especially for pantsers. See where the story goes, or meeting up with people that turn into unexpected allies.

[@johnnyritenbaugh1214]

I have to consciously write against this tendency too. I invariably trend toward some attraction or understanding even between enemies. My MC could befriend a brick wall somehow. 😅

[@rachelledellavecchia4951]

I really struggle when the MC is experiencing the same struggles I am currently going through or have recently been through it's almost too painful to put into words.

[@nurianetoibanez2268]

Did you both think at some point about translate your books to another language? Don't know if it's just a possibility... Would be pleased to read it if someday i can find them in spanish 🥰 I'm not so good at english 😅 for sure. Thank you for your content, sisters! See you in the next video❤

[@karlayork877]

My top take-away from this great presentation: What can Katherine [POV character in my WiP] accomplish at the end of the book which she could not at the beginning? Martin? Others? Thank you!

[@lafandedadou491]

I have a question about character evolution, when you change of character during a serie, how can I show that the main character of the first book continue to evolve in the background of the story of the main character of the second book ? I think the first mc can look flat during the rest of the serie if they don't continue to evolve

[@TaylorJackson-fn2om]

Quick question Abbie or anyone for that matter; what happens if the dark moment happens before the start of the story? Like the events before the start have already happened but I know there's more to be said.

[@renatozanardo9648]

Hi Sisters, aha moment, can we call it catharsis?

[@elementeight8]

Catharsis is not the same.