Although the Midpoint itself will be part of a big and important series of scenes, the character’s personal shift from Lie to Truth will often be a subtle moment. He may not be able to consciously articulate the change, but the change itself will nonetheless be solid and dramatic. In The Moral Premise, Williams writes:
The Moment of Grace is usually triggered by a subtle event that is undergirded by earlier, more dramatic events. It is not the Moment of Grace alone that changes the character’s behavior, but it is the “straw that breaks the camel’s back.”
Your character’s arc in the Midpoint could manifest as:
Thor: A physical inability to lift his own hammer—and a realization that strength alone does not make Thor worthy to wield it.
Jane Eyre: A glimpse into the horror of Rochester’s secret and his growing dependence upon Jane—and a realization that she cannot continue to work for him if he is to marry someone else.
Jurassic Park: A stunning attack upon the children by the T-Rex, now loose from her pen—and a realization that the children must be rescued, even at the risk of Dr. Grant’s own life.
Secondhand Lions: A brawl between Uncle Hub and a greaser gang—and the realization that Uncle Garth’s heroic stories may be true after all.
Toy Story: A jealousy-fueled assault on Buzz that ends with both of them abandoned at a gas station—and the realization that Woody can’t return to Andy if he doesn’t save Buzz too.
Three Kings: The discovery and theft of the sought-after Iraqi gold—and the realization Archie and the others can’t leave the Shiite villagers to face the consequences.
Green Street Hooligans: A victorious fight at the Manchester game—and the realization of the empowerment of being able to fight with and for people Matt cares about.
What About Bob?: A successful (if somewhat accidental) diving lesson with Dr. Leo’s son—and the realization that “the fam” are subsequently paying attention to Bob because they like him, not because he’s crazy.
A Christmas Carol: After an eventful First Half of the Second Act, spent exploring his past, Scrooge is passed into the hands of the second spirit, the Ghost of Christmas Present. Scrooge is already comparatively subdued by this point, not even daring to meet the ghost’s eyes. The First Act has shaken his belief in his Lie of money’s absolute worth, and everything he has witnessed has convinced him maybe he does have something to learn about being a better man. He humbly submits to the ghost’s powers and admits he has “learned a lesson which is working on me now.” He’s not quite ready to completely surrender his Lie, but the Truth now has him in its grip. His Moment of Truth manifests when he not only doesn’t resist this ghost, as he did the first one, but even entreats him, “Tonight, if you have aught to teach me, let me profit by it.”
Cars: After losing the race to Doc, Lightning still believes just as firmly as ever that he works best “solo mio.” But he is now confronted with the Truth that he needs help. He can’t figure out how to make the turn on the dirt racetrack without Doc’s advice. He doesn’t want to admit that Truth, but, deep down, he can’t escape it. He goes tractor tipping with Mater and has to admit to himself that he likes Mater and has fun with him. His Moment of Truth sneaks up on him when he starts complaining about his Rust-eze sponsors, only to realize he’s also criticizing Mater. Miss Sally emphasizes the new Truth by reminding him that Mater trusts him and that, in having a friend he can trust, he must now be trustworthy himself. Lightning responds nonchalantly, but his actions in helping the town in the second half will bear out that, in his heart, he believes this new Truth.
1. What personal revelation strikes your protagonist at the Midpoint?
2. How is your protagonist different at the Midpoint from who he was at the First Plot Point?
3. How does the revelation at the Midpoint prompt the character to move from reaction to action by providing him the knowledge to start taking control of the conflict?
4. What definitive action will your protagonist take against the antagonistic force?
5. What new understanding of the conflict does the protagonist gain at the Midpoint?
6. What new understanding of himself does the protagonist gain at the Midpoint?
7. What is his Moment of Truth? What Truth does he recognize and accept? What causes him to accept it?
8. How is your character still consciously clinging to his Lie?
9. What actions is he taking that are based on the Truth?
10. How does the contrast between the simultaneously held Lie and Truth evolve his inner conflict?
The Midpoint is one of the most exciting moments in your story. It’s the moment your character finally gets it. The puzzle pieces fall into place. He realizes what he must do to win the conflict, and he adjusts his actions accordingly. This isn’t an overnight transformation. It’s a build-up of everything he’s learned in the First Act, and he will continue to refine his understanding of the Truth throughout the remainder of the Second Act.
When planning your Midpoint, identify the Truth your character must recognize and create a mind-blowing scene to support it. Done right, it will end up being one of the most memorable chapters in your entire book.