Plot Points Template

1. 1. To work through story structure as taught by K.M. Weiland, let's break down the essential components and see how your scene aligns with them for White Noise:

   2. *Under Construction*

   Act 1 The Set Up

   1. Hook: Your opening scene successfully grabs attention with the mysterious behavior of the two men and the protagonist's reaction. The blend of reality and hallucination creates a strong hook.

   • Action:
   • Reaction:
   1. • Action:
      • Reaction:

   2. Inciting Incident: This is typically an event that disrupts the protagonist's world and sets the story in motion. This may not be directly related to the First Plot Point, but it should hint at it thematically or give some kind of foreshadowing or hint about the nature of the first plot point.

   • Action:
   • Reaction:
   • Action:
   • Reaction:
2. 
   

1. 
   

2. First Plot Point: This is where the story takes a decisive turn and the protagonist is pushed into the main conflict.

• Action:
• Reaction:
• Action:
• Reaction:
• Action:
• Reaction:
3. 
   

1. Act 2 The Confrontation

2. 
   

3. First Half of the Second Act 1st Pinch Point: This usually involves the protagonist reacting to the new situation.

• Action:
• Reaction:
• Action:
• Reaction:
• Action:
• Reaction:

1. Midpoint: Here, there's usually a significant development or revelation. Your story hasn't reached this point yet, but you might want to think about how Ash's understanding of his hallucinations or the reality of his situation could evolve.

• Action:
• Reaction:
• Action:
• Reaction:
• Action:
• Reaction:

1. 
   

2. Second Half of the Second Act - 2nd Pinch Point: The protagonist moves from reaction to action. Ash will likely start to take more deliberate steps regarding his PTSD, the hallucinations, or the mysterious events unfolding in the town.

• Action:
• Reaction:
• Action:
• Reaction:
• Action:
• Reaction:


Act 3 The Resolution

1. Third Plot Point: A low point for the protagonist. Given the psychological and possibly supernatural elements in your story, this could involve a significant challenge or setback for Ash.

• Action:
• Reaction:
• Action:
• Reaction:
• Action:
• Reaction:

1. 
   

2. Climax: The protagonist confronts the main conflict. This would be the culmination of Ash's struggles with his PTSD, the hallucinations, and any external conflicts introduced.

• Action:
• Reaction:


Climactic Moment: The single moment the story has build toward.
• Action:
• Reaction:

1. Resolution: The story’s conclusion. Ash's journey would reach a satisfying end, whether it's coming to terms with his condition, uncovering a larger mystery, or something else.

• Action:
• Reaction:

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Write Practice 11/27/2023

I died last week.

Now here I am, re-embodied, asking "What do I do now?" 

My death was brief, so I'm told. I was only dead for sixty seconds. It didn't feel like sixty seconds to me, it felt like an eternity. I met people I once knew. I met people I hadn't believed really existed. I met Jesus, and Paul. I also met King Arthur. 

It's all a bit fuzzy now, the realness of it all is fading. I was sent back for a purpose, the question is, what is that purpose? I suppose that is my mission now, to find my purpose.

.... #WritePractice 11/27/2023

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Shalom: Live Long and Prosper!

Darrell Wolfe (DG Wolfe)

Storyteller | Writer | Thinker | Consultant @ DarrellWolfe.com

Clifton StrengthsFinder: Intellection, Learner, Ideation, Achiever, Input
16Personalities (Myers-Briggs Type): INFJ

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Grounded Cafe, #Hook, #WhiteNoise, #OpeningScene

Through the window of the Grounded Cafe, Ash noticed two men dressed in all black duck behind a blue minivan. 

Ice ran down his spine. 

His right arm shot to the Glock 10mm at his side. 

Sucking in a breath he took a second look— They were gone. Black mist poured out from under the minivan and evaporated into the early morning air. He shook his head, closed his eyes. 

Counting to ten, silently, Ash released the grip on his sidearm, which he now realized was a tape measure and not a Glock. Ash hadn’t carried a weapon regularly since he left the service (for this very reason). He kept them locked in a case until he was at the firing range. 

He let his arm fall to his side, and wiped the sweat from his hands on his pant leg. Reality settled back onto his shoulders. A glimpse of himself in the glass window revealed a strong gray overtaking the sideburns. Other than a few wrinkles, he hadn’t aged that badly. 

A woman in a purple hoodie walked by just outside the window, head buried in her smartphone. She bumped into Hank, the town’s crazy old homeless man who was headed the other direction. She didn’t even notice. He gave her a dirty look and kept walking the other way, mumbling to himself as usual. 

The woman sat down at a table just outside the farthest window of the Cafe, he couldn’t make out her face, possibly one of the towns last tourists before the few stores left went into hibernation. 

An orange Maple leaf lazily floated down to the table in front her. She brushed it aside, falling inside a pumpkin whose top had been kicked off. The leaf caught on fire from the candle inside, and slowly embered away. She didn’t take notice. 

A white vapor swaddled her like a blanket. Hank stared at her from the corner of the building. A small green frog sat on his shoulder. The bottom half of the frog was a mist that disappeared into his spine. The frog’s red eyes stared at her, then at Ash, and it cocked its head to one side. Then it was gone, in a whisp of black fog that continued to waft around Hank as he walked away out of sight. 

Ash didn’t see these creatures on every person every time. There were times where he would see only the mist, the town psychic called it an “aura”, when he explained it to her in a drunk confidence one day. She was a bit of a quack but he tried everything to at least understand it if he couldn’t get rid of it. The mists and creatures came from within each person and would go back into them, like human genie bottles. The Creatures weren’t all exactly alike, either. 

“It’s called PTSD, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder”, his doctor had said. 

They tried giving him a mountain of drugs to help him sleep and keep the delusions at a minimum. Nothing really helped. When the Federal government forced legalized medicinal THC on all the states as a human right, his Idaho doctor gave him the card he would need. He didn’t bother telling him that he’d already been growing it on his property for several years now. Maybe he’d start a small boutique now that it was legal in Idaho.

The magical medical folks managed to create a pill form with less hallucinogenic properties but twice the pain killing properties, but it cost too much and his VA insurance didn’t cover it yet, although the decision was before the Senate hearing committee for a decision, thanks to PTSD Health advocates.

Since Ash started growing it himself a few years ago, his sleep was more regular but the delusions came and went. He could still hear the diagnosis in his mind. 

“As long as you are not a harm to yourself or others, you should be just fine. Think of it as an amusing distraction,” the doctor advised. 

“Ash-”, Derek the Barist’ called his attention to the present. “Here you go, man. Extra large Java-Chip, almond milk, three shots, with peppermint and creme de mint, and no whip. I even through a few extra candied coffee beans on there for you.” 

“Thanks, Derek”, Ash said as he turned from the front window and grabbed his coffee from the stand. 

“Always my friend.” Derek kept smiling as he turned his attention to the next order. 

Ash headed to his spot. The cool leather crunched and crinkled as he settled into his favorite corner chair. Up against a wall so nobody could surprise him. Within a quick few steps from three exit paths. Easy to be missed in the dark corner but positioned perfectly to scope the entire room at the same time. He couldn’t turn it off, it was like breathing, constantly taking in his environment.

A young man with a hoodie typing furiously at a keyboard. 

A woman talking on the phone, failing to pacify the toddler in the stroller to her side. 

Two men speaking in hushed tones at a table across the way. 

Only a few tourists left this time of year so the cafe’ isn’t too busy.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

**Draw out this scene, paint a slower picture. Give him an interaction or something…** 

[[ To enhance the middle of this scene and paint a more vivid picture of Ash's life and the town, consider adding elements that deepen the setting, character development, and foreshadowing. Here are some suggestions:]

[### Interaction with a Local Character

- **Friendly Banter with a Regular**: Introduce a character who's a regular at the cafe. This could be a light-hearted exchange that reveals more about Ash's personality and his relationship with the townspeople. For instance, a local shop owner who comes in for her daily coffee fix and shares a bit of town gossip with Ash, perhaps mentioning something odd happening in town lately.]

[### Detailed Observation of the Cafe

- **Vivid Description of the Environment**: Use descriptive language to portray the cafe’s atmosphere. Mention the aroma of coffee, the sound of milk being steamed, the clatter of dishes, or the eclectic decor that gives the cafe its unique character.]

[### Ash's Reflections

- **Internal Monologue**: Dive into Ash's thoughts. He could reflect on how much the town has changed, or hasn't, since he returned from service. This introspection could reveal his sense of disconnect with his surroundings and his struggle to find normalcy.]

[### Interaction with Derek, the Barista

- **Deeper Conversation with Derek**: Instead of a quick exchange, let Derek ask Ash how he's doing, showing concern. Ash might open up a bit, hinting at his struggles without getting too deep, showing his reluctance to share his true feelings.]

[### Introduction to Other Townspeople

- **Observation of Other Customers**: Expand on the descriptions of the other people in the cafe. Maybe Ash observes a couple arguing in hushed tones, a teenager looking stressed over schoolwork, or an elderly man reading a newspaper, providing a richer sense of community dynamics.]

[### Foreshadowing the Incident

- **Subtle Signs of Impending Trouble**: Before the car crash, include subtle hints that something is off. Maybe Ash hears distant sirens, notices people outside looking concerned, or feels an inexplicable sense of unease.]

[### Ash's Interaction with His Environment

- **Engagement with His Surroundings**: Show Ash doing something mundane yet revealing - like meticulously organizing his table, indicating his need for control and order in his life, or staring out the window lost in thought before snapping back to reality.]

[These additions can serve to slow down the narrative pace, allowing the reader to settle into the scene and get a better grasp of Ash's world and his state of mind. This approach will also build a stronger emotional connection between Ash and the reader, making the subsequent events more impactful.

darre, 11/26/2023 12:57 AM]]

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“That’s —“ the two men stopped talking and turned their heads.

Screeching tires— 

Crunching metal— 

Thud— the building shook slightly. 

The small-town crowd that had been meandering between the few stores still open for the season began pooling just outside cafe window, blocking his view. 

Ash took his coffee from the side table and headed out the front door. 

The two men Ash had seen huddled in conversation across the cafe pushed past him on the way out the door to see what was happening. The taller muscle man bumped into his shoulder, hard. 

“Watch it,” The man replied in a curt accent, East Coast of some kind, maybe New York or New Jersey. 

Steam billowed from what was left of the front end of a 1990’s model silver Honda Civic. The car was T-boned into the side of a black Toyota pick-up. Both drivers had already gotten out of the vehicles. No one for Ash to rescue, so he started to walk past the crowd down the street. Too many people in one space for his taste, he decided to head home. 

As he passed the scene, some movement caught his attention from the top of a third vehicle, an old truck. 

“What do you care?” said Hank, the old man with a graying beard and brown plaid dress jacket who was climbing up onto the cab a pick-up. “Yeah— I know—” he yelled then her murmured something Ash couldn’t hear. 

Great— He’s having another episode. 

“Hank,” Ash said. “Hank, is that you old man? Why don’t you come down from there?” 

Hank, the town Kook, as some called him, looked at Ash with a flicker of recognition which faded quickly. 

From behind him, a dark mist rose from the bed of the truck. 

Not again. Not now. Ash felt his chest tighten. 

The mist grew until it towered over Hank as a father over his toddler. It grew arms with bulging muscles but the head of a bull, red eyes, and three white streaks across its chest. 

Another smaller creature, akin to a hairless monkey, was coming out of Hank’s spine and whispering into his ear. Reacting to each murmur as though it were the other half of an invisible conversation. 

The larger creature stared directly at Ash. It bent down and the smaller creature evaporated. The bull-man whispered into Hank’s ear and he too snapped his attention to Ash. 

Then he leapt off the truck toward Ash, knocking down two men from the crowd on his way to the middle of the street. 

Ash felt his feet sticking to the pavement as though they were glued. He raised one arm in defense as the old man tackled him, nails trashing at his throat. 

“Jesus—,” Ash let out. 

The old man stopped attacking, looking dazed. Ash needed no further opening. He struck the old man in the chin with his elbow and followed with a strike to the side of the neck with a knife hand. 

Rolling out from under him, he hog-tied Hank with his own belt, then he sat on him with one knee to keep him from moving. 

A single blurp from a cop car siren broke up the crowd and the Sheriff’s SUV pulled to stop next to them. 

“You alright?” The Sheriff asked, one eyebrow raised. 

“Danny,” Ash replied. “To be honest, I’m feeling a bit embarrassed. I’m loosing my touch to get tackled by an old man.” 

They both laughed. 

“I’ll take it from here,” Danny and his deputy took Hank and laid him in the back seat of the squad car. 

“You need medical attention,” Danny said. “Your neck is all scratched to heck, man.” 

“No,” Ash replied. “It’s not as bad as it looks. I’ll take care of it at home.” 

“Whatever you say,” Danny waved his deputy to drive Hank away, then turned to deal with the car accident. 

Ash started to reach for the coffee that had miraculously survived the ordeal, when someone wearing purple leggings walked by and kicked the drink over, pouring it all over the pavement and the bottom edge of his jeans. 

She was across the street before he could look up to see who she was. 

“Great! Thanks, lady!” Ash yelled, as she turned a corner. 

She either didn’t hear or pretended not to and kept walking away, into a small boutique that sells antiques and strange creations from locals. 

“Could this day get any better?” Ash mumbled to himself as he walked down the street for home.

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Shalom: Live Long and Prosper!

Darrell Wolfe (DG Wolfe)

Storyteller | Writer | Thinker | Consultant @ DarrellWolfe.com

Clifton StrengthsFinder: Intellection, Learner, Ideation, Achiever, Input
16Personalities (Myers-Briggs Type): INFJ

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Major Theron "Ash" Ashland, USAF Spec Ops, Special Tactics Unit

Theron Ashland 

Major Theron "Ash" Ashland, USAF Spec Ops, Special Tactics Unit

We're Air Force Special Tactics, and our motto is "First There...That Others May Live." 

• Birth Date: xx/xx/1978, in Moon-Wolf Hollow, Idaho, on the family tree-farm, which is hundreds of acres of wooded hills, streams, and a small lake.
• His father was a distant, hard-working, lumberman. The father died when Ash was very young. 
• His mother was kind but broken by the loss of his father. Widowhood took root in her life as an identity, and she lived in the past in a way that left Theron taken care of physically, but emotionally unsupported. He developed an attachment style of Avoidant, so that he would never burden his mother with his emotions. She too died when Ash was just 18, and he spent the year getting his family’s affairs in order, including leaving the family property in Trust, deeded to an LLC, which was managed by a friend of the family, including tree harvesting.

• Enrolled at University of Idaho in 1997 at 19 - Ash majored in Organizational Leadership. But at the beginning of his fourth year, 9/11 happened and he dropped everything to enlist in the USAF the next day.

• USAF Enlistment: 09/12/2001, Age at Enlistment: 23
• He became a sniper in the USAF Spec Ops, Special Tactics Unit, working his way through the Enlisted Ranks. 
• Pouring himself into each assignment was his way of running from his own past. He handled the family property remotely through calls, and never went home on leave.

• Injured on Duty: xx/xx/2010, Age at Injury: 33
• After being injured (shot?) badly enough to require a lengthy hospital stay and rehab, Ash was restless and ended up using his time to complete the BA he left behind ten years earlier. Stacking summer and winter school on top of the maximum units the school would allow, he used all the time he wasn’t in Physical Therapy on school.  
• Temporary Disability Retired List (TDRL): 2010-2011 During which he completed a BA (BOLD) and MBA program, then joined Officer Training School (OTS).

• After his return to service, now as an Officer, Ash climbed to the rank of Major between 2011-2018.
• During this time, his Leadership as an Officer with deep field experience became invaluable to his superiors, and a point of frustration to his peers, which his advice ran counter to theirs, which was always.

• Medically Discharged: xx/xx/2018 at 40-year’s old.
• After an injury achieved in the field under suspicious circumstances, Ash was medically discharged at 40-year’s old. He went home to Moon-Wolf Hollow, Idaho, USA - Where he has been quietly living on his family property, alone, a valued member of the town, but truly known by very few.
• Home Life:
• He runs a small business selling hand-crafted woodwork, and he is a part-time weapons instructor for the local shooting club. 
• Ash keeps to himself, never attends parties, rarely comes to town for parades or events, especially if tourists are in town.
• Ash does attend a local church, but only as a socially expected norm for the region. He is an admitted agnostic when pressed. 
• His only real friend in town is the local sheriff, a retired Army veteran who understands Ash’s need to be alone.
• He also attends a wounded warriors recovery group once a month. 
• His PTSD symptoms come and go, some months worse than others. 
• When he was first discharged, he was prescribed strong narcotics, and those helped him through the early days. Eventually, just before his full discharge, they found a cocktail that worked well enough. 
• His local doctor, Sam?XXX, who played the dual role of small-town physician and mental health therapist, admitted that Idaho was behind the times on narcotics, and that Marijuana was showing a lot of good results in studies for PTSD. He went across the boarder to WA to get it for a while, but eventually obtained the necessary materials to grow his own. The local Sheriff backed this decision, and kept the feds away. Luckily, they left small towns like this alone most of the time, out of the spotlight.
• This is the state we find him, at a coffee shop, where he is having a particular over-powering PTSD vision, one he hasn’t had at this level since his first days in the hospital after he was found and recovered unconscious.

Etymology

Theron: "θηρίον" (therion) - Wild Animal, Beast, Untamed, by extension, Hunter

Ashland: An estate where Ash trees propagate.

Myer’s Briggs/16-Personalities Type:

Commander: ENTJ-A / ENTJ-T

Bold, imaginative and strong-willed leaders, always finding a way – or making one.

Clifton Strengths:

1. Strategic - ENTJs are known for their ability to quickly identify patterns and various possibilities in a given situation.
2. Command - This strength aligns with the ENTJ's natural leadership qualities and their ability to take control of a situation and make decisions.
3. Achiever - Their driven nature to accomplish goals and constant need for achievement resonates well with this strength.
4. Focus - ENTJs typically have the ability to set clear goals and remain on track towards achieving them.
5. Significance - They often seek to make a big impact and want their work and presence to be of significant value.

Attachment Style:

Avoidant

Unhealthy Relationships, Codependent, May be an Addict.

I’m OK, You’re NOT OK.

I can self regulate

I cannot bring my needs to anyone, ever.

Because I cannot bring my needs to anyone, and some needs require others, I have learned to shut my needs down to the point I may not know they exist. You will have a difficult time feeling connected to me.

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Shalom: Live Long and Prosper!

Darrell Wolfe (DG Wolfe)

Storyteller | Writer | Thinker | Consultant @ DarrellWolfe.com

Clifton StrengthsFinder: Intellection, Learner, Ideation, Achiever, Input
16Personalities (Myers-Briggs Type): INFJ

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Moon-Wolf Hollow #WhiteNoise

A fictitious Wikipedia entry for "Moon-Wolf Hollow, Idaho" (a fictious town) in the White Noise series by D.G. Wolfe

---

Moon-Wolf Hollow, Idaho

Moon-Wolf Hollow is a fictional town located in the Idaho Panhandle, United States. Known for its scenic beauty, rich Native American heritage, and mysterious local folklore, the town is a blend of history, nature, and mystery, attracting visitors and researchers alike.

Contents

1. History
2. Geography
3. Demographics
4. Culture
5. Economy
6. Education
7. Local Folklore
8. Notable People
9. References

History

Founded in the late 19th century, Moon-Wolf Hollow is said to have been named after the frequent sightings of wolves under the full moon by the original settlers. The town has deep roots in Native American history, with several historical sites dating back to indigenous tribes of the region.

Geography

Nestled in a secluded valley surrounded by dense forests and a winding river, the town boasts picturesque landscapes. It experiences a temperate climate, with snowy winters and warm summers, ideal for outdoor activities.

Demographics

With a population of approximately 800 residents, Moon-Wolf Hollow is a small, close-knit community. The town has a diverse population with a significant representation of Native American heritage.

Culture

The town is known for its annual Moon-Wolf Festival, celebrating its heritage and local folklore. Traditional crafts, music, and storytelling are a significant part of the festival. There are several museums and cultural centers dedicated to preserving the town's history and heritage.

Economy

Moon-Wolf Hollow has a mixed economy, with local businesses, tourism, and agriculture being the primary sectors. The town is also known for its artisanal crafts, which are popular among visitors.

Education

The town has a public school system serving grades K-12 and is known for its strong emphasis on local history and culture in its curriculum.

Local Folklore

Local folklore is rich with tales of spirit animals, mysterious occurrences, and legends of the Moon Wolf, a mythical creature said to protect the town. These stories form an integral part of the town's identity.

Notable People

While fictional, notable residents of Moon-Wolf Hollow could include local historians, artists inspired by the town's scenery and lore, and activists working to preserve the natural and cultural heritage.

References

This article is about a fictional town and is intended for entertainment or creative purposes only.

-------------------------------

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Shalom: Live Long and Prosper!

Darrell Wolfe (DG Wolfe)

Storyteller | Writer | Thinker | Consultant @ DarrellWolfe.com

Clifton StrengthsFinder: Intellection, Learner, Ideation, Achiever, Input
16Personalities (Myers-Briggs Type): INFJ

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White Noise... reconsidered.

Years ago, I wrote a novel, or, a lot of one. I got to 60,000 words +/- but it never felt right. The beginning felt right, the middle felt empty, the end forced. It never really became much except a seed of an idea. 

Scene One:

https://authorfun.blogspot.com/2016/10/distortion-sceneone.html?m=1

Then my wife died, and I shelved the whole project. I'm fact, I shelved writing in general, creatively. 

It's been stirring again, but I don't feel good inside moving on yet. I feel I owed it to myself, and my late wife, to finish the first novel. Even if it's just a cathartic exercise. 

My new wife, a fellow widow, has been encourime to tap into my creative fun side, so, today, on a whim, I thought, maybe I can use ChatGPT as a sounding board to workshop the novel and start it over, with a better, more comprehensive, and more ties together story structure. 

It was a great chat, I have a ton of new ideas, and it helped me see how the whole story could fit together more naturally and coherently. 

The chat from today:

//Begin

Chat Title:

Three-Act Story Structure.

User

Using the classic three act structure taught by km wyland at helping writers become authors.com what is a story structure

ChatGPT

The classic three-act structure, as taught by K.M. Weiland at Helping Writers Become Authors, is a common framework used in storytelling. It is a basic formula that helps writers organize their stories into a beginning, middle, and end.

Act 1: The Setup

The first act sets up the story and introduces the main character. This is where you establish the world of the story, the character's goals, and the conflict they will face. This act usually ends with the "inciting incident," which is the event that sets the story in motion.

Act 2: The Confrontation

The second act is the longest and most complicated part of the story. This is where the character confronts the main conflict, faces challenges, and experiences setbacks. The character must overcome obstacles and work towards achieving their goal. This act ends with the "climax," which is the moment of maximum tension or conflict in the story.

Act 3: The Resolution

The final act is where the story resolves. The character confronts the final conflict and achieves their goal, or they fail and must deal with the consequences. This act ends with the "resolution," which is the conclusion of the story.

Overall, the three-act structure is a useful tool for organizing a story and keeping it on track. By following this structure, writers can create a cohesive and satisfying narrative that engages readers from beginning to end.

User

I know that my story story starts with a disabled veteran who had gone through some experiments and is seeing things what he doesn't realize at first is that the things he's seeing are actually real spirits of the spirit world. He is eventually attacked by the people who did the experiments in attempt to keep them quiet. I think the story ultimately resolves when he meets the doctor in charge of the experiment and he is able to make peace with the spirit world whereas the doctor is not. The doctor ends up in an insane asylum and the veteran ends up working with other experimentes to help them unlock their powers. What would a story structure look like around this concept and what kinds of things might be missing from The Middle.

ChatGPT

Based on the concept you have provided, here is a possible structure for your story, using the classic three-act structure:

Act 1: The Setup

Introduction of the disabled veteran and his experiences with the experiments

Establishment of the spirit world and the veteran's interactions with it

The inciting incident: the veteran is attacked by the people who conducted the experiments

Act 2: The Confrontation

The veteran is on the run, trying to uncover the truth about the experiments and why he was targeted

He meets other people who have undergone similar experiments and discovers their unique abilities

The veteran's powers grow stronger as he becomes more in tune with the spirit world

The climax: the veteran confronts the doctor in charge of the experiments and must make a choice about his own destiny and the fate of the other experimentees

Act 3: The Resolution

The veteran comes to terms with his powers and makes peace with the spirit world

The doctor is committed to an insane asylum, unable to cope with the consequences of his actions

The veteran begins to work with the other experimentees, helping them to control their abilities and navigate the spirit world

In terms of what might be missing from the middle, it could be helpful to consider specific obstacles and challenges that the veteran faces as he tries to uncover the truth and gain control of his powers. These could include encounters with other entities in the spirit world, conflicts with other experimentees who have different goals or motivations, and further attempts by the people who conducted the experiments to stop him. Additionally, the middle could benefit from moments of reflection and character development, as the veteran comes to terms with his experiences and learns to trust himself and his powers.

User

Exploring Act 1. A female reporter, Destiny, has been tracking down the edges of the story for a few years. She may even be the reason it's become dangerous to leave the experimentees alive? Maybe. She meets our veteran, Ash, in a small town under the pretense of doing a story on small towns in America, but she's actually there because he and one other man, a homeless man named Chester, were experimentees. But Ash doesn't remember being a test subject. He remembers volunteering for a military program, that led to his medical discharge, but his memory of the actual events is fuzzy, and he thinks it's resulted in hallucinations and nightmares. All he wants is to be "normal". What he doesn't realize yet, is that the hallucinations are actually beings from another dimension, that some religious people call spirits, and the dreams are actually memories trying to surface from the experiment. He uses prescription drugs to dull these affects, ineffectively. 

Brainstorming with me, What types of events could take place in the first act?

ChatGPT

Here are some possible events that could take place in the first act of your story:

Destiny's investigation: We see Destiny doing research, interviewing people, and gathering information about the experiments and their participants. She may uncover clues that point her in Ash's direction.

Ash's daily life: We get a glimpse of Ash's current life, which is characterized by isolation, fear, and a desire to be "normal". We see how his experiences with the experiments have affected him, and how he copes with his symptoms.

Ash and Destiny's initial meeting: They meet in the small town where Ash lives, and strike up a conversation. Ash is initially guarded, but something about Destiny intrigues him. Destiny is friendly and curious, but is also hiding her true motives for being there.

Chester's appearance: Chester, the other experimentee, makes an appearance. He may be homeless, but he's streetwise and perceptive. He recognizes something in Ash that suggests they have a connection, and he starts asking questions.

The first encounter with the spirit world: Ash has a vivid hallucination or dream that involves a spirit. At first he dismisses it as a hallucination, but the experience lingers with him and starts to raise questions.

Ash's memories start to resurface: Ash starts to have brief flashes of memory, which are disorienting and confusing. He may try to ignore them at first, but they become more persistent and troubling.

User

Typically, the inciting event takes place early, something that shakes the protagonist from his current world and begins foreshadowing the story world. The first plot point takes place at the end of Act 1, forcing the protagonist beyond the point of no return. I'm my original draft, I toyed with an assassination attempt on Ash's life that forces him to find out what's happening. However, while the scene was fascinating, it left me stuck for "but now what"? in Act 2. 

What kinds of inciting events and plot points could we consider for Act 1 with Ash as a primary protagonist?

ChatGPT

Here are some potential inciting events and plot points for Act 1 with Ash as the primary protagonist:

The discovery of Chester's death: Ash discovers that Chester has been killed, and starts to realize that there may be people trying to cover up their involvement in the experiments. This could spur him to take action and start investigating what happened to him and Chester.

Ash's first encounter with the people who did the experiments: Ash is confronted by the people who conducted the experiments, who may be trying to silence him or intimidate him into keeping quiet. This could be a scary and disorienting experience for him, and could motivate him to seek answers.

A breakthrough in Ash's memories: Ash has a vivid dream or flashback that gives him a significant piece of information about what happened to him during the experiments. This could be a turning point for him, as he realizes that his memories may be the key to understanding what's going on.

Destiny reveals her true intentions: Ash discovers that Destiny is actually a reporter investigating the experiments, and that she's been keeping her true intentions hidden from him. This could create a sense of betrayal and mistrust between them, while also pushing Ash to take action and help her uncover the truth.

The emergence of a new spirit: Ash has a powerful encounter with a spirit that seems different from any he's seen before. This could be a sign that something has changed, and that the spirit world may be more dangerous or unpredictable than he initially thought.

Ash is forced to make a choice: Ash is presented with a difficult decision, such as whether to trust Destiny or go it alone, whether to confront the people behind the experiments or keep his head down, or whether to continue using drugs to dull his symptoms or try to confront them head-on. This choice could have significant consequences for the rest of the story.

User

All but the last point were included in my original draft, which tells me I was going in the right direction, but your nuances gave me new ideas for those scenes. 

On the last bullet point, that could give me the middle Act 2 you suggested further back in this dialogue. What kind of decision could he be facing? It sounds like maybe the drugs dulling things may be a key factor. What if Destiny replaced his drugs with placebos to force him awake, out of desperation both to get her story, and the truth, but also because she's falling for him and she wants to save him?

ChatGPT

That's an interesting idea! Here are a few possible decisions that Ash could be facing in Act 1 or Act 2:

Whether to continue using the drugs or try to face his symptoms without them. This could be a difficult decision for Ash, as the drugs may be the only way he can function in his day-to-day life, but they're also preventing him from fully understanding what's happening to him. Destiny's decision to replace his drugs with placebos could be the catalyst that forces Ash to confront this choice head-on.

Whether to trust Destiny or go it alone. As Ash begins to work with Destiny to uncover the truth about the experiments, he may start to develop feelings for her. But if he finds out that she's been deceiving him by replacing his drugs with placebos, he may begin to question her motives and wonder if he can trust her. This could lead him to choose between working with her to uncover the truth or going it alone.

Whether to confront the people behind the experiments or keep his head down. As Ash gets closer to the truth, he may start to feel like he's in over his head. He may be torn between trying to take down the people who did the experiments, and trying to protect himself and his loved ones from their retribution. This could be a difficult decision for Ash, as it may require him to put himself in danger in order to do the right thing.

Whether to confront his memories or try to suppress them. As Ash starts to remember more about the experiments, he may begin to feel overwhelmed by the traumatic memories. He may have to decide whether to try to suppress these memories in order to preserve his mental health, or whether to confront them head-on in order to uncover the truth. This could be a difficult decision for Ash, as it may require him to confront painful and uncomfortable memories in order to get to the bottom of what happened to him.

User

Being former special forces, USAF, he has both the former drive to stare down this challenge, but also the defeated ego from years of what he thinks is PTSD to doubt his ability to even live a life... If he realizes it may not be PTSD, and he's not actually going crazy, this may force him to take the plunge into the adventure!

ChatGPT

Yes, that could be a powerful motivator for Ash to finally take action and confront the truth about his experiences. If he realizes that what he's been experiencing is not just PTSD, but something much more complex and sinister, it could give him the push he needs to take on this new challenge.

Additionally, the fact that Ash is a former special forces member could give him a unique set of skills and resources that he can use to his advantage in the story. Perhaps he has contacts in the military or the intelligence community that could help him uncover information about the experiments, or maybe he has specialized training that will come in handy as he faces off against the people responsible for the experiments.

Ultimately, the decision to confront his past and seek the truth could be a turning point for Ash's character. It could force him to reevaluate his entire identity and what he thought he knew about himself, and it could be the key to unlocking his true potential as a protagonist.

User

Now. What if Destiny had her own POV in the story , with her own three act structure... What would her inciting event and first plot point be, that coincide but either nuance or contrast Ash's?

ChatGPT

That's an interesting idea! If Destiny had her own POV and three act structure, her inciting event could be when she first learns about the experiments and becomes intrigued by them. Maybe she comes across a small mention of the experiments in a news article or hears about them from a source, and she becomes determined to uncover the truth.

Her first plot point could be when she meets Ash and realizes that he is a key piece of the puzzle. Maybe she initially approaches him under the guise of doing a story on small towns in America, but she quickly realizes that he has a deeper connection to the experiments. This realization could force her to make a choice: continue down the safe path of doing a standard human interest story or pursue the risky path of investigating the experiments and potentially putting herself in danger.

Alternatively, her first plot point could be when she faces pushback from her editor or her colleagues for pursuing the story. Maybe they think it's too risky or too niche, and they want her to focus on more mainstream topics. This pushback could force her to make a choice: abandon the story and stick to safer topics, or continue pursuing the story at all costs.

By having Destiny's own POV and three act structure, you could create a rich, layered story that explores the experiences of both protagonists in depth. It could also allow for interesting contrasts and comparisons between their perspectives and motivations.

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