We’ve talked about the Try/Fail cycle and how it needs to be repeated at least three times in a novel, and now we’re going to focus on one moment in the last cycle. Arguably, the most important scene in your book.

This moment has been called many things: the Reversal, the Mirror Moment, or Dig Deep Down. It’s the part of the story where all seems lost for our protagonist. She has to reflect and decide if she’ll face her major flaw and overcome it to win the final battle. It’s the moment when the protagonist finally confronts the major theme of the story.

Location In Story

As I’ve already stated, this introspective moment happens in the last Try/Fail cycle. The protagonist tries and fails epically but has no time for a new plan. She’s on the brink of destruction and has to do something fast.  At this point in the story, the protagonist knows what the real lesson is that she needs to learn—the one she’s been unwilling to face the whole book. Now, she either fixes her flaw that has been holding her back or she fails permanently.

Description Of Moment

Despite the time constraints on the character, the writer can take a long moment to go inside the protagonist’s mind and watch her struggle. If this was a movie, the camera would zoom in to see the despair and then the determination in the protagonist’s eyes. There are two main struggles that the protagonist can debate in this moment.

Identity

Who am I? What have I become?

The protagonist needs to see herself clearly. Only then can she decide if she wants to step up to the plate as who she was meant to be. This type of debate happens when the theme of the story revolves around the protagonist needing to grow and change as a person.

Capability

I can’t win. I’m going to die.

The protagonist needs to learn what she’s made of. This story is about survival and becoming strong enough to win. It’s classic for superhero stories where the hero needs to learn to fight better to beat the villain. They have to grow stronger to survive.

The Physiological Effects On Readers

I learned a cool tidbit from David Farland about the chemical response in our brain to this moment in a story. 

When the protagonist has failed and is on the brink of destruction, the reader should feel the character’s stress.  This creates a bond between protagonist and reader and inspires compassion from the reader for the protagonist.

Once the protagonist chooses to face her flaw and conquers it, the victory gives the reader a natural high. The brain produces Serotonin, a hormone that relieves stress and provokes a sense of relief and euphoria. This cleansing sweep of Serotonin not only relieves the stress the reader feels for the protagonist but also cleanses any stress the reader holds in regards to real life. It’s a rewarding payoff for the reader—if the writer does it right.

Final Thoughts

When you go to write the end of your story, don’t forget this impactful moment. Take your protagonist to the bottom of despair, let her confront her flaws, and then make her rise from the ashes in a blaze of glory. Your readers will thank you.

Thanks for reading!

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