Mariner Software Contour for Windows - Manual (Page 47)

Chapter 8: Act II Structure
N
ow that Act I is done, your protagonistʼs journey really kicks into
high gear, but itʼs at this point where most writers donʼt know where
to go, and they freeze up.
As previously mentioned, what comes after the Central Question are
28 plot points; 14 in the first half of Act II to make up the Wanderer
beats and 14 in the second half of Act II to make up the Warrior
beats.
The nature of these 28 plot points is to:
Alternate bringing the hero closer and then farther away from
answering the Central Question. First “yes” and then “no.”
These are called “yes/no reversals.”
Any situation that brings your main character closer to his goal is a
“yes.” Anything that threatens to take him further away is a “no.”
Road blocks go up, and the protagonist finds a way over, around,
under, or through them. An even larger one looms on the horizon,
and the protagonist dispatches that one as well.
Just remember: In both halves of Act II, there are 14 “Yes” plot points
and 14 “No” plot points each.
In This Chapter:
The First Half of Act II
Developing the First Half of
Act II in Contour
The Second Half of Act II
Developing the Second Half of
Act II in Contour
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