Reversals & Pinch Points - Writing Tension in Your Story

[@jpch8814]

Your videos and insights are superb, you don't just blabber general and useless info, you actually teach people meticulously how to write properly. Thank you, Miss Alexa.

[@MargaretPinard]

"To earn the highs, you need the lows" In books and in life, I believe it!

[@janinaschergaut299]

OMG, I think I may have just figured out why I've been struggling so much with my writing these past few weeks. I've been working on the second half of my second act and nothing seemed to gel and I think this video may have just helped me figure out why that is, so thank you so much. Your videos are always so helpful, but this one was just right time, right place. Thanks a lot. I've learnt so much from you about writing, and I really feel that I've grown a lot as a writer since I started follwoing your channel. You're amazing 💕😍

[@andreannelavoie660]

I'm currently writing scfi-fi mystery and while writing I've created a master list of what I called 'reveals'. Turns out those are probably reversals with a few pinch points!

[@Crymsyn9000]

J. Elle the author of 'wings of ebony' said in her recent live chat with iwriterly (at the end) that your Ivies series is one of her favorite recent reads.

[@essauthor]

This video has been affirming to me about how I am writing one of my novels currently. Thanks for the great descriptions of these concepts.

[@author_page]

I'd say the pinch point was when Lydia ran off with Wickham and ruined the family name JUST when Lizzie was starting to get into her feels for Darcy. Darcy leaves the room as soon as he hears the news, and Lizzie's got this "Yeah, I don't blame him" mentality. The delicious part is how she didn't realize he was actually leaving to track Wickham down.

[@donnamaria3059]

I just want to let you know that after YEARS of using Microsoft Word to type up my drafts you turned me onto trying Scrivener & it’s a gamechanger I love it.

[@rosannebowman2592]

I'm so glad I found this video! I am editing my current WIP, Jabberwocky's Curse, and I realized my second pinch point was completely lame. This just reinforced the story needs something a lot more dramatic. Thanks for sharing this content!

[@Sean-jl6dc]

I’ve not been sure what exactly a reversal was for a while and this is perfect! Working on outlining my first longer WIP and trying to figure out my middle so this definitely came at the right time

[@elizabethcomfort2214]

Ahhhhh!!! This is exactly what I needed!!

[@elisa4620]

Thank you for your videos. I like that you give concrete exemples from different genres. :)

[@SalayaSkystone]

Thank you! Useful as always. Hope you have a good day ahead and may the words meet on your page.

[@h.a.s.7336]

Dear Great Knowing One... Would you ever consider doing a video on "revelations" and how they affect character growth, and how revelations fit into or with reversals and pinch points? Many thanks!

[@roxxisquared15]

Literally brainstormed my pinch points today. Thanks, Alexa! This was so helpful, as usual.

[@ScullyPop]

I predict this channel to hit a million within three years. Alexa can do that standing on her head.

[@squiminysquoo]

You are truly a gifted lady... a teacher AND writer... hey save some talents for the rest of us🤣

[@annac6098]

I loved this! As always *chef’s kiss* for the content. I’m sure you’re really busy but I’d absolutely love a video all about act three in the three act story structure particularly the finale/denouement! I’ve heard you mention it and scrape the surface level but I can never nail the High Tower Surprise and I always feel like my ending is rushed. And I already said it but I WILL SAY IT AGAIN- 10/10 CONTENT ON THIS CHANNEL OMG

[@AlexaDonne]

I have an entire video on endings! Should help :)

[@annac6098]

@@AlexaDonne Thank you, it did:))

[@alliem9404]

Thank you! I've been struggling with pinch points, especially the second one! This was extremely helpful

[@lindaweedmark6025]

AHA I get the structure a little more now! And repaired my plot so much while listening to this video! 😁 Thank you!

[@hannanorstedt8753]

Loved this video. Although I always like your videos! Working finishing the 3rd act and I have a list of revisions waiting and this is one of them. Making sure the structure and storylines are clear so I can pinpoint reversals and tension moments.

[@laurenbee9878]

I love your videos : ) Thank you so much for putting this out! I have been struggling with tension in all of my WIPs so this came at the perfect time 🥺🥰

[@h.a.s.7336]

That's a quotable - "To earn the highs, you need the lows." Alexa Donne Extraordinaire

[@auggiecrossing6267]

Btw I started to watch you videos, you've been helping me out for my own writing and how to do it without making to cringe 😅

[@MargaretPinard]

Great discussion of terms--thanks, Alexa!

[@joanderson4860]

I have been WAITING for this video thanks so much

[@AuthorBritneySLewis]

THIS!!! Been waiting for something like this. THANK YOU!

[@nikkinewbie6014]

You asked for examples: still getting a firm grip on the concept of the pinch point but when you started talking about new information being revealed and “I’m going to go to the place” and talk to that person and the audience knows what the main character doesn’t I immediately thought about Silence of the Lambs when Clarice shows up at Mrs. Lipman’s house where Jame Gumm lives and all her backup is 400 miles away at a bad address. The pinch point I guess is when Clarice asks the best friend of the dead girl for the address and we the audience know she’s about to walk into the lion’s den completely unaware. Is that a good example?

[@ellismartiskainen7729]

Thank you for the tips! I love your videos Alexa

[@johnchastain7890]

My masterpiece-in-progress has reversals and pinch points that the MCs don't know about--things that happen or are revealed when they aren't present. I'm hoping the millions of expected readers will feel the tension of OMG I hope these MCs find out before it's too late! Meanwhile, the intrepid MCs are themselves getting reversed and pinched other ways. Sure hope this works!

[@izstrella]

Reversals: a great way to make your readers feel pain in the best way possible.

[@Leah-vb3ud]

Hi! I'm actually early! Can u do a video on I including music in writing? My main character is in a band and an aspiring musician but I want to know when it gets too much. Love your vidoes :)

[@ellismartiskainen7729]

I would say put as much music as you want in. Then ask critique partners what they think

[@MarcMarchioli]

Thanks for the great vids and information. I’ve wanted to start writing for years but haven’t until I started watching your vids a few weeks ago. I’m on chapter four now. Let me know if you have any ideas on who I can get to bounce off drafts. I don’t want to write a huge amount and find out it’s trash. Although, your vids are hopefully making me better :D

[@ivysudweeks1550]

Long time lurker, but I finally have to ask: are you familiar with American Sign Language? A lot of your hand gestures look like ASL signs and I absolutely love it.

[@AlexaDonne]

I was briefly in signing choir in 6th grade, so I may unintentionally do some things though I also am a big hand talker! I do believe my counting follows ASL though--that stuck! That is so cool though... I wish I had been able to continue learning it, but they only offered it at my elementary school--it didn't carry over to middle and high :(

[@ivysudweeks1550]

@@AlexaDonne The counting definitely does still follow ASL--it's the 3 that really shows. :) What ever you're doing, keep doing it! Thanks for awesome content

[@brendancoulter5761]

I'm still a bit confused as to what a pinch point is. Is any significant moment of conflict in a story a pinch point?

[@seeyouspacecowboyx]

Can someone explain what is meant by the "break into act --" please? What is the break into act 2, break into act 3, in terms of structure and all that?

[@mossgrovewrites]

Check out the Save the Cat Writes a Novel if you’re still wondering… or maybe find a “beat sheet” example online? The “break into two” is the moment, a single scene, the characters normal life is flipped upside down/decision is made. It’s the moment that indicates the transition to the second (or third) act.

[@jellyfish1900]

Hi Alexa, this is a bit of a random question, but did you publish in traditional literary magazines before you published a novel? I've read that that's a good way to build up publishing credits before a novel but I'm having zero luck with my short stories. I'm starting to think those magazines are overrated and I should just focus on the novel. Thoughts? I love your videos! Keep it up!

[@FlorTedesco]

The hunger games is always a great example!!!

[@samogrady4086]

Im writing a scene where the girl mc is pregnant. She is out with her friends on a day trip because they have just finished college. They just parked the car, when the girl mc sees her friends brother elijah(hes also a vampire)- fighting a bunch of vampires. She goes to help fight the vampires. She ends up geting shot badly. He takes her back to his house. Hoping his sister (is a witch)- could help. Girl mc tells elijah to promise to save her baby not her but they canr save the baby. When she wakes up and finds out she is angry and sad. She cant look at elijah. Idk how to write the tension and argument they are going to have. Please help

[@auggiecrossing6267]

I'm really happy someone from WebNovel has sent me a message and asked if I would like to promote my story's on their website! But I'm scared it might be a scandal but it seemed real, should I do it? If I take up the offer I could possibly get more readers and post get paid . . . Wattpad isn't really helpful to new writers so I'm actually thinking to start writing in their website for more content, because 1 I'll have to re-write my chapters and make them readable, 2 they actually help out new writers to help with their passion and 3 it's a lot better for 18+ content like mental health issues and help notice young teens struggle with addiction with drugs along with a bunch of other stuff. Should I take up the offer? I'm really scared to but I'm really happy someone noticed my work with writing.

[@kagaminelen7727]

Ah yes W e b n o v e l It’s spam I have a friend who’s barely written anything on WP and they also got the message (And their writing, admittedly, isn’t the best-)

[@la1495]

I wish you could beta read my novel :( I suspect my first 2 acts aren't 'tense' enough but everything goes off the rails crazy in the 3rd act. I like how unconventional it feels but idk if the general public would be into it.

[@mkrusila]

thank you for a great video- however it would be good to have concrete examples, otherwise this gets too theoretical to understand

[@crispusattucks4007]

❤

[@phitc4242]

Idk if it's just me, but Netflix shows are so often and kind of hectically "moving back and forth", that it annoys me (how they do that) and it leaves me with dropping the show.

[@MalachiFrazee222]

Lots of people do these things, but don't know the name of the terms. Oops.

[@talktidy7523]

Your videos on writing craft are excellent and i should love to see more of them, but, blimey, on ocassions you talk awfully fast

[@0201Cosmic]

Do you own a dog?