Using a 3 Turning Point Scene plot structure is a great way to move your story along. This structure works very well for middle grade novels, but it’s also very effective for any other age category. The beauty of a 3 Turning Point Scene structure is that it’s simple, and can be used with any other plot structure model. Just make sure you have these 3 turning point scenes in whatever structure you like. Here in the blog, we’ve analyzed The Earth Shaking Event, and the Mid-Point Decision. This time, it’s the last turning point – The Epiphany Scene.
Early in your story, your protagonist has already had their world shaken underneath them. They had to make a big decision that sent them on a new path to try and solve their problem. Then, mid-way through the story, they realize that the path they chose wasn’t actually solving their problem. It was time to try something new again. New decision, new direction. And once again, this new path didn’t work either. Usually, your main character isn’t able to solve their problems, because what they think they need isn’t really what they need. That’s where the Epiphany Scene comes in.
Somewhere in the last quarter of the book, your protagonist has a scene where they realize what actually has to happen to solve the problem at hand. Often, it’s the clear understanding of what risk they are going to have to take to get to the root of the issue. For the first time, they recognize what their true need is. And once they recognize that, they are willing to sacrifice it all to get it – whether that means battling the dragon face-on, or opening up to their mom about what happened.
Sometimes this Epiphany Scene comes in a moment of quiet introspection that paves the way for the climax to happen. Sometimes the Epiphany comes during, or even after, the climax scene. It’s all connected. But the key to this third turning point scene is the turn. Your main character has to make an internal turn that prepares them for the actual resolution to the problem they’ve been facing. That internal turn and readjustment is the only way to truly get to the root of all their needs.
Elements of the Epiphany
Every story will provide unique experiences for the protagonist. Every story provides different ways for different problems to be solved. But for a satisfying ending, your protagonist has to have a moment of epiphany where they learn more about themselves and how they fit into their world, and a connectable understanding takes place. Then – and only then – can they solve their real problem, by the new choices they make.
So far in your story, each path your protagonist has attempted to take has ended in failure, or at least not success. They’ve tried new ideas, learned new information, and attempted to solve their problem, but they’ve been stymied at every turn. Keeping a clear connection between choices the main character has made, and the consequences of those choices has led them to this third turning point. In this moment, all they’ve experienced culminates into a new realization. Suddenly, they know what they need to do.
I created this video to talk in more detail about the Epiphany Scene and the elements that need to be included in this scene. I also give some examples from great middle grade fiction. Here’s the video Elements of the Epiphany.
Analyzing the Epiphany
Somewhere in the last quarter of your story, after many failures and setbacks, your main character makes a shocking realization. They finally figure out what the true problem is, and what it’s going to take to actually solve it. Although it always will take a physical action to solve, the problem first has to be understood internally for what it really is. This is the Epiphany Scene. That realization of what needs to happen, but more importantly, why. When the ‘why’ is understood for the first time, your protagonist is willing to risk their all to make sure it happens.
I’ve created this worksheet to help you analyze your own third turning point – the Epiphany Scene. Print it out and see what you can do to strengthen this vital scene in your manuscript.
A strong epiphany scene will keep your readers glued to the pages as the final drama unfolds because they are invested just as much as the protagonist is. Make this third turning point scene as powerful as possible.