Definition
The inciting incident is the event that disrupts the protagonist's normal life and sets the main story in motion. After it, the central problem cannot be ignored.
Example
A letter announcing eviction, a missing child, or a public accusation can all work as inciting incidents.
Related terms
Common mistakes
- Delaying the inciting incident so long that the opening feels idle.
- Choosing an event too small to justify the story that follows.