How to Write a PINCH POINT
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 ก.ค. 2024
- What is a pinch point? That's the big question we're tackling in today's video: how to incorporate SUSPENSE into the beginning of your story and pull your reader in for the rest of the ride.
Comment below and tell me: what is YOUR favorite example of a gripping pinch point?
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🎥PREVIOUS VIDEOS IN THIS SERIES:
STORY BEAT #1: THE HOOK → • How to Write a Hook Fo...
STORY BEAT #2: THE INCITING INCIDENT → • How to Write an INCITI...
BONUS: INCITING INCIDENT CASE STUDY → • INCITING INCIDENTS: Di...
STORY BEAT #3: THE 1ST PLOT POINT → • How to Write the First...
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0:00 Introduction
1:35 What is a Pinch Point?
3:24 Suspense VS Surprise
5:44 Why Suspense Beats Surprise
814: Top 3 Types of Pinch Points
9:02 Case Study: Prince Caspian
9:58 Case Study: Jane Eyre
10:50 Case Study: Dunkirk
11:53 Recap
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• How to Write an INCITI...
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• How to Write a Hook Fo...
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✨ A B O U T ✨
My name is Abbie Emmons I teach writers how to make their stories matter by harnessing the power and psychology of storytelling, transforming their ideas into a masterpiece, and creating a lifestyle that makes their author dreams come true.
Story isn’t about “what happens” - it’s about how what happens affects and transforms the characters. I believe that there is an exact science (a recipe, if you will) behind a perfect story. And if you know what ingredients you need, you can create your own perfect story with ease and confidence. That’s what we talk about every week on this channel - and if it’s something you’re into, be sure to subscribe and join this community!
✨C R E D I T S ✨
All movie clips and soundtracks used for educational purposes under the Fair Use law. Titanic (1997), Pearl Harbor (2001), The Chronicle of Narnia: Prince Caspian (2012) copyright Walt Disney Pictures, Jane Eyre (2006) copyright WGBH Productions for BBC, and Dunkirk (2017) copyright Warner Bros. and Syncopy Inc.
I’ve learned more from Abbie’s channel in a week than I did in two years of grad school.
Thank you so much for your kind words! They mean so much to me, and I am thrilled that the content I make encourages you to chase your dreams and make your story MATTER!
Same here.
When you really love doing something, your inspired to learn more about it❤️
I'm learning so much!
I love seeing a clue in a story and it just being so vague and ominous I just literally screech *“WHAT DOES IT MEAN!?!?!”* and then pace around the room for a minute to brainstorm what on earth is gonna happen, and come back to the story fully immersed with a chuck load of snacks so i can read it into the night.
omg same!!
Good way to set yourself up for massive disappointment
Does anyone have good story examples that do this? I'm always worried I either make it too ominous or not ominous enough.
I hate feeling smarter than the characters, then I'm just frustrated that they don't figure things out. I love it when characters are brilliantly intelligent and surprise me :)
watch death note
@@kaidne i did. it was my favourite anime when i was in middle school :)
@@IzadoraKatarina nice!
Yes!
Agreed! Makes me respect them much more.
I just wanna let you know that you're one of those channels that are super amazing and need to be watched by many more.
Thank you so much!! That means a lot to me :D
@@AbbieEmmons ☺💗
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It's literally been 2 years since this comment, and still, I completely agree!
Ugh, I used to think I was “naturally” a good writer, but because of your channel I know otherwise now. There is clearly so much I have to learn. I literally plan on taking notes on your videos. Thank you lmao
Haha I've been there. People used to give me complements all the time, but I've since learned I knew nothing back then 🤣
Me too. I always thought I am a great writer since middle school. Now that I'm in high school and watch videos from this channel, I feel that 13-chapter story I made back then is meaningless.
you probably are a naturally good writer. even good writers still can learn how to perfect their craft. i was always naturally talented with words and i still have learned plenty of stuff over the years.
Bro me too 😭
I think I am a naturally gifted writer, but gifted doesnt mean immediately pro. Had a lot to learn, and Abbie plus my own struggles at starting a 6 book series taught me how
Luke: "I'm not afraid!"
Yoda: "Good. You will be! You will be."
Is this the Mark Forster who wrote "Do It Tomorrow", by any chance?
@@Cafe655a No. Sorry.
Personally, the best suspense is the suspense that gets the readers to keep asking questions. I actually feel more engaged with the story if it emphasizes something obscure rather than making me feel smart and narcissistic HAHAHA idk that's just me :(
it's not just u! i also like really vague hints and being in the unknown when reading
Is this still suspense or rather a mystery?
A Quiet Place has a good example of vicarious suspense. In particular, that scene when the deaf girl has no idea that the monster is already behind her because she can't hear it.
*Watches your video about outlining, then the videos about all three acts, then every one about character because I don’t understand it enough, then finally gets to outlining and watches all of your videos on scene cards then starts your 3-Act template and realizes that I have no idea how to write whatever this pinch point thing is so now I have to watch this*
I'm reading Story Genius by Lisa Cron and whenever I open it up, I see you in it. I see how much the book influenced you and why it is such a useful tool for writers. It is different from anything I've read so far pertaining to novel writing. Every story beat now is seen through the veil of "WHY DOES IT MATTER TO MY CHARACTER?" Single best advice ever. Thank you for expanding this concept in your videos Abbie. It truly does make writing better
It's so good! Thrilled you are enjoying it! And thank you SO MUCH for your kind words!
i LOVEE vicarious suspense. especially when the killer in mysteries/thrillers has their own pov chapters and they literally show you what they’re going to do to the protagonist
“Kiss of Deception” is a book that does vicarious suspense PERFECTLY (and great pinch points). I highly recommend it to anyone who would like an example of what she’s talking about.
Honestly, you are such a good teacher, I feel like your content shouldn't be free, hahaha. You explain things so simply and to the point, don't ramble or use explanations that leave me confused, you're god sent! I've learned more in this last hour than I have in my all my years of school and reading writing articles that just say "write! brainstorm! Figure out the problem!". You're amazing
I've been devouring this series, which I just happened to come across a day or two ago, and in just a handful of videos you helped me get to the bottom of my, 30K+ words in, my story suddenly ground a halt. I've been writing forever, got a few books out there, and yet your presentations helped me really get to the bottom of the problem (which was created in the very foundations of the entire story: unclear goals for the protagonist). I used to follow a lot of authors for their "how to" vids but to be honest I walked away from that because it was so often kind of generic advice that didn't resonate. Your content is different. It's useful, applicable, and it digs a lot deeper into the craft of storytelling than anything else I've found on YT. It's refreshing in an era when so many new stories are barely readable or watchable because their structure makes no sense and the stories (and characters) are incomprehensible to find such a focus on the craft of telling a quality story. I know I'm late to the party but this entry in the series seemed as good as any to say: great work. Thank you. You've made a regular out of me.
A good example is Romeo and Juliet where it's stated in the first paragraph that they are going to take their lives and so for the entire play your on the edge of your seat waiting for it to happen.
This is seriously some of the best content on TH-cam for writing stories.
I really like the subtle clues type of Pinch Points. I almost always try to give my characters names that translate to something that is a big part of their personality, history, or role. For example a book I’m writing now I actually have the Traitor of the team with a name that means two faced because she’s not actually who she seems and is the enemy spy, and she also wears a necklace with the comedy and tragedy masks as another subtle hint at her true nature. I do enjoy the vicarious suspense as well but I find that better suited for the anime series me and my friends are working on. I might use it in future stories, but right now I’m just trying to finish my first book, technically second but given my first ever published book I wrote as at age 12 and self published as an ebook at age 16 and hasn’t sold any copies outside of maybe three family members I don’t really consider it an actual book anymore.
What a pleasant surprise! To get this video just at the best time!
I'm in love with subtle clues.
Each time I watch one of you videos I’m like, “Eh, maybe this will be helpful,” and then I come up with like 5 new cool plot points and twists by the end of each video. Thank you so much!!
The Snow White with the Red Hair anime does a great job of building suspense in season 2. It starts off with vicarious suspense, with the character in danger who doesn't know how everything's going to go down till right before the big thing happens, making it shared suspense for a few moments, and then there's an epic scene that sets off the big conflict/problem of the season. It's great. Highly recommend the anime, it's a lot of fun and I love the characters. One of the most re-watchable animes I've watched.
Love that anime!! It was so fun to watch!
@@aubreycarter7624 The manga continues the story! I recommend it if you would like to find out what happened next!
I've been watching several channels about writing books (though it's fanfiction in my case), but you're the first person to describe this process of fleshing out a story in a way that I feel I can work with. You're giving me way more ideas than anyone else. I think after I've finished this series I'm going to see how all these things apply to some of my favourite books. I learn best from examples and you use them in a great way. Thank you for your wonderful and helpful videos!
Maybe you could go on when you do the second pinch point?
Also, Abbie, have you ever thought about doing character breakdowns/analysis? You talk a lot about why it should matter to the character, but I was curious about different kinds of characters. I hope I make some kind of sense.
She has videos on characters, including a breakdown sheet we can download. Just click on her name, above, to go to her channel and click on the "videos" tab near the top.
Abbie, you're amazing!!! After fumbling and struggling with my first novel, essentially pantsing it for years, I'm so happy to have found your channel. Writing my sequel is so much more productive and gratifying with your support. Thank you so much!!!!
Ma'am you helped me more than any book or video. thank you immensely.
Your videos are amazing! I am watching the whole playlist right now and I am so grateful 🧡 I have been struggling for YEARS to write a book and get my story on paper. And I have failed so many times without knowing how to improve and here you are, giving the perfect guideline. BIG THANKS ❣
After leaning so much about character conflict, world building, pinch points and so on, I am totally on board with anything thing else Abbie would suggest when it comes to writing! I know there may be some people who disagree with the science behind writing a story but Abbs you have made me a believer! Rock on!
somehow i’d managed to avoid major jane eyre spoilers when i never cared to read the book but i recently decided to read Alexa Donne’s re imagination of it as a scifi novel... and didn’t think to skip your spoilers 🥴
i guess i’ll be in vicarious suspense now 😂
Wanna quickly add that "characters knowing more than reader" is actually creating intrigue. Not dissatisfying, just different. It's the difference between intrigue and suspense
This is enough to make me consider cutting briefly to a different pov to tell the audience something the mc doesn't know. I hate doing that and my brain is already scheming ways around it but it might be worth it.
Thank you so much, I needed to hear this. ❤ I was bending myself into pretzels trying to make story all suprise-y and cool
You know, I don’t know if I was supposed to get this kind of vibe, but I think that’s how I feel when I go into a story and I’m thrown into the middle of a scene. (I’m talking about the “the character knows more than me” comment you made). The characters know what’s up, but I have no idea. I think that must be why I don’t like stories starting like that. I know I just talked about the hook/inciting incident and this is about the first pinch point, but I feel it still applies.
That makes complete sense! Thanks so much for watching and sharing
Thank you as always, Abbie ❤️ I don’t know what I would do without you!
You're the best!
I enjoy the moment in A Quiet Place when Emily Blunt’s character pulls up the nail in the stairs with the laundry bundle and the camera lingers on that nail for just a few seconds telling the viewer that this will become important soon. Then when she is trying to run from the monster and be absolutely quiet, she heads downstairs and the second she steps on that first stair we know for a fact that she is in trouble.
how can we do vicarious suspense while writing only with the first person point of view??
With vicarious suspense, you must show the reader something the protagonist can't see - I've done this within first person POV by simply switching POV to the antagonist, or someone on the "other side" of the external conflict. :)
@@AbbieEmmons is it possible to not switch POVs and stay with the protagonist (first person POV) the whole book and have vicarious suspense?
@@umagonz just sneaking in to suggest that it IS the closed aspect of the first person POV that makes thing suspenseful. Your MC could be so unreliable that the audience experiences the suspense even though the MC is naive to it. Just a thought.
@@EDDIELANE thank you! I haven't thought of it like that, huge help.
Yeah, I've seen it done a lot. It can be like foreshadowing, or something that the POV character simply forgets or overlooks. So let's say they make a promise to meet someone that night, and then something crazy happens and the MC gets so wrapped up in that and forgets to meet the person. Or maybe there is a test coming up that the MC thinks will be easy and doesn't have to study for, and if you kind of zone in on that overconfidence, it sets up just enough expectation that the reader can guess they are going to fail (:
Loved this one! First time I've heard the different types of suspense articulated
Abbie, you are the undisputed queen of suspense! Holy moly. 100 days of sunlight is like an absolute rollercoaster!
On the point of war movies, another great method is the showing of the mortal toll as the innocent is going off to war. I’ve seen this in a lot of WWI films, where the protagonist sees soldiers from the front bandaged and often missing limbs. It gives a great feeling of the stakes of the conflict.
Was worried when I didn't see a video or any announcement you would miss a week. Glad to see your ok and thanks for your great videos
Abbie, you would make the most amazing English Teacher I have to say. I imagine you being that one teacher every kid remembers and loved and had some sort of moment with where you taught them something. I'm thinking - now hear me out - that you would shine as a secondary school teacher, or as they say in USA, high school teacher xxx
you're channel has been incredibly helpful ! Continue what you are doing, I live for you videos !👌🏼
Thank you so much!!
I love this!!! Thank you for another wonderful video. I pray for you and your family during this difficult time.
I love how hype and excited you get about these. It makes me excited to write. I didn’t get this type of encouragement in school. 😍
I love how positive your videos are especially in comparison to other channels that are generally more negative than positive. Thank you for motivating so many of us with your positivity and making us feel like our story really matters on a deep level!!
This at the 8:00 mark you reminded me of advice a teacher told me about being spoiled about stories and how it’s not really spoiled unless you know how it all happens
Abbie Emmons helping me piece together my first novel 1 TH-cam video at a time. :)
This is such a great video! I love adding in suspense to my story, and this really helps me to see a great place to do so.
Great video! Your channel has helped me realize so much about writing. I'd never have learned so much and gotten to where I am now in my novel without your videos, so thank you!
I'm so glad! Thank you so much for your kind words! They mean so much to me, and I am thrilled that the content I make encourages you to chase your dreams and make your story MATTER!
I love your breakdowns. Very pragmatic and impactful. Thank you 🙏
I'm currently writing a story for a video game I'm making for my university graduation. Your videos are helping me so much making sense of the structure. Thank you for these awesome videos!!
Love that this series is back! Just listening to it helps me work out the parts of my plot I’ve gotten stuck on- I really appreciate you! Hope you’re doing well during this crisis. xx
You got this! Stay safe & healthy
Thanks once again Abbie, thoroughly enjoyed your Act 1 videos, fantastic help. From Taupo, NZ.
Wow! Your video just made me understand why multiple POV is my favorite to read (and write)! Multiple POV is a great way to allow the reader to know things that some characters don’t... thus creating suspense. Great video!! Thanks!!
I needed this so much, thank you
I've been struggling with a pinch point I thought was way too weak, but some juicy vicarious suspense should do the trick ^^
Thanks. This is amazing stuff! 👍
Thank you so much for taking the time to do this. Your videos are a great help! Not only at teaching how to write, but also at keeping me motivated to finish my first novel😊
Glad it was helpful!
I just found your channel! And i absolutely LOVE AND ADORE it!😍 I totally binge watch more videos then i should haha! I love your vibe! And you actually made me start writing (and plotting oops) you rock (on)!!:)
I just wanted to say thank you so much for making these wonderful videos and going in depth with the reasons and psychology behind them. It's been so helpful for my writing and I was even able to recommend your videos to my friend who just started writing!
I'm so glad! Thank you so much for your kind words! They mean so much to me, and I am thrilled that the content I make encourages you to chase your dreams and make your story MATTER!
This is off topic, I admit, but your place is adorable!
Oh thank you!
favorite pinch point from The Day After Tomorrow when the flooding starts to fill the drainage in New York City streets and the characters vicarious suspense that what they do will affect the next from the time Dennis Quaid alerts the White House Staff that the President needs to leave the White House is the sign of concern that Dennis Quaid knows exactly what's going to happen. He's the essential character to the plot because he not only has the job of a paleoclimatologist, but a father as well. There are clues all over the place. It has endless suspense.
Oh hot dayum! This just spiced up my screenplay so much! The point about revealing the villain at the pinch point just added so much suspense and intrigue to my story!!! Thank you!
I missed you 😭😭
So glad for the upload! Hope you've been doing well!!! ❤❤
I’m so glad I came across your channel! You’ve helped me so much ❤
Hi! I’m new to the channel. As much as I love the author tubers I already watch (which is about 2/3 ppl) I thought I’d watch some others as well This was such a cool video! You’ve definetly earned a new subscriber!
First Pinch Point Example: One of my favorite films is "The President's Analyst." Early on, the hero meets the director of "the CEA" (CIA) and the "FBR" (FBI). The "FBR" director, Henry Lux, HATES the hero. No surprise, then, when the hero flees his job, he orders his agents to find and liquidate the hero.
How can you have vicarious suspense in a story that has first person viewpoint? I've been asking myself this. I'm enjoying this series so much!
I've been wondering this too!
4:30 For me is the contrary, i like stories that makes me feel dumb. This pushes me to improve.
This video was super helpful. I love case example videos.
The way I am about to tare apart what I have so far for my story to follow the tips I’ve learned so far lol This is really helping me create the story I want to make! Thanks a bunch Abbie! 🙏🏽
Abbie i finally got to this video 🤧🥺 i can't believe i came this far 🥺🥺thank you alootttttttt im writing my first story 🤭🤧🥺love youuu 😘😘🥰🥰🥰🥺
you’re teaching me so much ! thank you !! 💞💞
4:26
I love applying psychology in my stories. And yes, that is a psychological phenomenon that does happen very often will a large number of readers.
Again, you give me a brand new perspective, Abbie! I would find myself getting frustrated if I knew something the character didn't for *too* long, but I am starting to see what you mean. I think it's also a lesson in patience -- I'm always rushing through stories to speed through the anxiety of some parts. Thank you for the new content, as usual! You've given me tons to consider now.
Thrilled this was helpful!
I am so late to discovering this channel but I love it!
Something I’m wondering is whether it’s possible to create full vicarious suspense in a first person POV story?
Would love to see you breakdown popular movies or anime’s. Love all your how to videos
I am a Dedicated follower from U.K. Fantastic thoughts: throwing potatoes, goldfish attention span. I have just clicked on link and bought your book. I too, have held my pencil in my hand all my life !!! Andrew U.K.
Another great video Abbie! As usual :) A great blend of entertainment and useful information. It's been great seeing your channel grow, keep up the good work :)
Thanks, your videos always give me ideas for my books
I have embellished my story everytime I watch your videos or I identify something I did that matches with the beat without even realising that I was doing that.
A fantastic example of a pinch point. Thank you.
Really liked this video. Learned a lot. Thank you.
I stopped being a pantser when I learned of foreshadowing concepts. It is so amazing to be able to sense something early on in the book.
Didn’t realise Jane Eyre was a mystery/thriller 😂
Awesome and helpful videos! Thanks
Great Abbie!!!! 👌🏻🙂👏🏻 LOVE this vídeo 💛💛💛
Another argument for vicious suspense: Why do kids watch the same movie over and over and over again? Because knowing what's going to happen next gives them a sense of power in their utterly powerless lives. Same thing here. It gives the reader a sense of power by knowing what will happen, and we get a bit of a high when it does happen.
I love "un-put-downable". Thanks for this, Abbie!
Your vids always get me in the mood to write - thank you!
Glad you like them!
I love Francoise Sagan's beautiful YA novel, Bonjour Tristesse. The suspense begins with this amazing first sentence: "A strange melancholy prevades me to which I hesitate to give the grave and beautiful name of sorrow."
There are two pinch points and they happen at the 38% mark and the 62% mark. Both on opposite sides of the midpoint, both in act 2, not at the beginning of act 2 as you stated.
Thx. In screenwriting we were always taught that the lock in was at the end of act one. Plot point 1
Abbie, in your blog about backstory-a great read so bravo to you! Using your example of the sister anxiously asking for the time, is this is a good example of giving relevant backstory?
"What time is it?"
Crystal never bothered to know the time, especially when shopping for newly released video games. But her furrowed eyes brows and rapid breathing made me pay attention.
This video was incredibly helpful
I'm learning so much from these videos! My question is, how would you create full vicarious suspense when writing from the first person perspective?
That means a new chapter where the first person POV changes to that of the antagonist, identifiable with highly different traits and very different circumstance. And motives. You can tell that's not the protagonist speaking.
I learned heaps from this video. Thanks Abbie.
Glad it was helpful!
I think number 3 : Shared Suspense actually often used in sekuel or the next series, for sample on IT 2 (2019), the grown up childrens know what they will dealing with when they come back to the place where the horor begin. It's just a thought, maybe right, maybe wrong. Greetings from Indonesia Abbie.
Thanks!
I'm not sure if Revenge of the Sith follows the 3-act structure or not, haha, but I thought about it when you were talking about suspense. It seems to use both vicarious and shared: both Anakin and the viewer know about his dreams and how important they are and they want to save Padme's life and keep his dreams from coming true. But the viewer also already knows what happens to Anakin, thus vicarious suspense to find out exactly how it happens and why. Even though I've seen the movie a dozen times, I can never watch it without hoping that something turns out differently. That's how powerful the suspense is for me.
I love this topic because this is exactly how I describe Shirley Jackson's work. I think she's a master of suspense.
Thank you Abbie!
On the topic of having one protagonist know everything and one know nothing, I have an interesting pov style. The main story is written through a diary, parts are edited memoirs, and there are notes from the main character as he reflects on his past. Mentally, I've separated him into "present-protagonist" and "past-protagonist" as he explains his life story to his son. However, the protagonist dies before he can finish editing the diaries, so there are additional entries signed as "M" which the readers think is in reference to the supporting character, but after he dies, it becomes clear that the reader doesn't actually know who "M" is and how they relate to the story. I feel like this is a super compelling style to read, but it feels really complex to write and balance multiple styles without it getting overly confusing. I would love to hear tips or suggestions about how to write the story!