Imagine if Cinderella didn’t get invited to the royal ball or Nemo didn’t get taken by a diver, and his dad started searching for him. Elsa didn’t accidentally reveal her ice powers and run away?
That’s the power of Inciting incidents in a story!
In today’s blog, we are going to discuss everything about inciting incidents in the story. Its definitions, types, misconceptions about inciting incidents, some iconic inciting incidents from famous books and finally how can we achieve a great inciting incident for our story.
What is an Inciting Incident in a Story – The Definition
The inciting incident is the moment in a story when something happens that changes the main character’s normal life and pushes them into the main adventure or major conflict. It’s what makes the story actually begin.
In short, it’s basically the “big push” that starts the story.
Simple Examples:
– Cinderella – She gets invited to the royal ball.
– Finding Nemo – Nemo gets taken by a diver, and his dad starts searching for him.
– Frozen – Elsa accidentally reveals her ice powers and runs away.
It’s the event that makes the main character do something different and leads to the rest of the story.
Types of Inciting Incidents in the Story
The three main types of inciting incidents are: Causal inciting incidents (where the protagonist makes a deliberate choice), Coincidental inciting incidents (where the event happens by chance), and Ambiguous inciting incidents (where it’s unclear whether the event was caused by choice or coincidence).
Causal Inciting Incident:
This is when the protagonist actively chooses to take an action that sets the story in motion, like deciding to take a new job or accepting a challenge. It happens when your character chooses to dive into advantages and problems or a new journey.
Coincidental Inciting Incident:
This is when a random, unexpected event occurs that forces the protagonist into a new situation, like winning the lottery or finding a mysterious object.
Just like I gave the example of Cinderella, she got invited to the royal event. Unlike casual incidents, she didn’t do anything herself but the incident happened to her.
Ambiguous Inciting Incident:
This type leaves the reader unsure about whether the event was caused by the protagonist’s choice or by pure chance, often creating suspense and mystery. This type of Inciting incident is generally a little harder to write and understand than two of the above. But with this example, you can take the idea of the ambiguous inciting incident concept:
Example: Gone Girl (2012)
- Inciting Incident: Amy Dunne disappears on her wedding anniversary, and her husband, Nick, becomes the prime suspect.
- Uncertainty: Did Amy vanish because of Nick’s actions, or did something else happen? The reader isn’t sure if Nick is guilty if Amy was kidnapped, or if there’s another twist.
Misconceptions about Story Inciting incidents
So just like other concepts of Story fundamentals plot types vs narrative and writing beginning vs story beginning, there are many misconceptions about inciting incidents.
Is the Story’s Beginning and Inciting Incident the Same?
The most asked question about story inciting incidents is that it’s the same as the story beginning. Well, No, they are entirely different concepts and serve different purposes in the entire story.
- Beginning of the Story: This sets up the world, introduces the main character, and shows their normal life before anything major happens. It pretty much gives the idea to the user to understand the story plot better
- Inciting Incident: This is the moment when something changes that normal life and starts the main conflict. The Inciting incident is actually the first kick from where the story starts.
Example:
Imagine you writing a story about Emma, a baker.
- Beginning: Emma runs a small bakery, living a quiet and simple life.
- Inciting Incident: A big coffee chain opens across the street, stealing her customers. Now, she has to fight to save her bakery.
Is the Story Twist the same as the Inciting Incident of a Story?
Many times, writers get confused about the concept of Story twists and inciting incidents and assume that they are the same because an inciting incident defines the kick in the story they concept it as the story twist.
- A twist is a surprising or unexpected event that changes the readers’ understanding of the story. It can happen at any point.
- The inciting incident is just the event that starts the main story—it doesn’t have to be shocking or unexpected, just something that pushes the character into action. It can’t be shocking or unexpected mostly, because at this your readers have no clue about your story and its depth.
Example
Let’s take a look at the example from “Frozen”
- Inciting Incident: Elsa accidentally reveals her ice powers and runs away. (Starts the adventure.)
- Twist: Hans pretends to love Anna but is actually the villain. (A shocking reveal.)
Misconception Between Story Climax and Story Inciting Incident
So, again the answer to this question is: No, the inciting incident is not the same as the story climax. The inciting incident happens early in the story and starts the main character’s journey. It’s the moment that changes their normal routine and forces them into unique and unusual action. Whereas, the climax happens near the end of the story and is the most intense, dramaticmoment where the main conflict reaches its peak.
Example to Compare from “The Lion King”:
- Inciting Incident: Scar kills Mufasa, and Simba runs away.
- Climax: Simba returns to fight Scar and take back the throne.
The inciting incident is the trigger that begins the journey, while the climax is the big moment where everything is at stake.
Iconic Inciting Incidents from Famous Novels
Here are the most iconic novels and their inciting incidents from which you can explore and take the idea of the best incidents written in history.
1984 by George Orwell:
- The inciting incident is when Winston Smith begins to rebel against the oppressive regime of Big Brother and the Party, starting his journey of defiance and resistance.
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien:
- The inciting incident is when Gandalf the wizard and a group of dwarves arrive at Bilbo Baggins’ home, recruiting him as the “burglar” for their quest to reclaim the Lonely Mountain from the dragon Smaug.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins:
- The inciting incident occurs when Katniss Everdeen volunteers as tribute to take her sister Prim’s place in the deadly Hunger Games, forcing her into a life-or-death battle and igniting the seeds of rebellion.
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley:
- The inciting incident occurs when Victor Frankenstein successfully brings his creature to life, only to be horrified by his own creation, setting off a tragic chain of events.
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë:
- The inciting incident is when Jane is sent to Lowood School after a miserable childhood with her cruel aunt and cousins, marking the beginning of her journey toward independence and self-discovery.
How to Write the Best Inciting Incident in a Story
Writing a great inciting incident isn’t hard but requires careful planning because it catalyzes your entire story. Here’s how you can write a perfect inciting incident that grabs attention and sets your protagonist on their journey:
1. Make It Disruptive
Your inciting incident should upend the protagonist’s normal world and force them into action. It should create an event so powerful that returning to their previous life is no longer an option.
- Example: Katniss volunteering for Prim in The Hunger Games instantly alters her life.
2. Tie It to the Core Conflict
The inciting incident should be directly linked to the central conflict of your story. It introduces the problem or challenges the protagonist must face.
- Example: In The Hobbit, Bilbo is recruited for an adventure—his reluctance and eventual transformation drive the story.
3. Ensure It Creates a Strong Emotional Reaction
Readers should feel the impact of the event. Fear, excitement, shock, or sadness—emotions make the moment unforgettable.
- Example: In Gone Girl, Amy’s disappearance sparks mystery and suspicion, leaving readers emotionally engaged.
4. Introduce Stakes Immediately
The inciting incident should present high stakes—personal, emotional, or physical. The protagonist must have something to lose or gain that keeps them invested.
- Example: In The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Lucy’s discovery of Narnia immediately introduces conflict—will she convince her siblings it’s real
With these practices, you can write better-inciting incidents for your stories.
In Last: “What is an Inciting Incident in a Story – Describe in Detail
In conclusion, the inciting incident is the pivotal moment that propels a story into motion, transforming the protagonist’s ordinary life and setting the stage for the main conflict. Whether it’s Cinderella receiving a royal invitation, Elsa revealing her ice powers, or Katniss volunteering for the Hunger Games, these events not only alter the character’s trajectory but also engage readers by introducing high stakes and emotional resonance. By writing a disruptive event tied to the core conflict and ensuring it evokes a strong emotional response, writers can captivate their audience from the very beginning. Understanding the role of the inciting incident is key to crafting compelling narratives that resonate long after the story concludes.