43: Finding Your Mirror Moment

What does writing from the middle mean? What are some

mirror moments in literature and movies? Can you find your mirror

moment? Within your stories answers to these questions and

more in this episode of writing proceeds Welcome to the writing

pursuits podcast where authors like you discuss writing craft,

author, life and book marketing strategies. I'm your host

Kathrese. McKee. I own writing pursuits and write and produce

the weekly newsletter writing pursuits tips for authors. In

addition, I am a speculative fiction author writing pursuits

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Please leave a comment a star rating and follow the show to

help others find writing pursuits. The mirror moment in

the story is when the main character experiences a moment

of clarity that pushes them to change direction, it is the

turning point. That moment of clarity is when your character

experiences an aha moment. Most often, it is the unveiling of a

truth about themselves the world what they must do if they hope

to survive or what they must do to save the world regardless of

the price. This realization is a catalyst for your character to

go from a reactive passive state where things are happening to

them to a proactive more dynamic state where they are making

things happen. Today I am focusing on positive outcomes.

However, your main character is not required to make the right

choice. In real life. People make poor and destructive

choices all the time. Some people have that moment of

clarity about themselves that mirror moment but they choose to

look away. Some people glimpse the real world and reject

reality. Many people know what must happen for survival but

illogically. They hide their heads in the sand. Worse, people

figure out what must be done to save the world and choose to

ignore the call. I can't think of any examples of that in real

life, can you, uh, he mean, today, let's focus on positive

outcomes. Your character is going to save the world and

themselves right learn how to identify the mirror moment.

James Scott Bell is my writing mentor through his books on

writing craft. There is not another writer about writing who

has taught me more. And that is saying something because I have

write your novel from the middle, a new approach for

plotters, Pantsers, and everyone in between. The book has a long

title, but the paperback edition is only 88 pages. We will

nickname it mirror moment for short. I read this book every

year or so and reference it whenever I get stuck. homework

assignment Your homework is to buy this book and watch for the

following points. Phil describes an algorithm he calls quote, the

Golden Triangle. The mirror moment is at the triangles Apex

the top, it's the middle. The left hand point represents pre

story psychology. And the right hand point represents

transformation. You must have all three points for a strong

story creating your stories midpoint must be intentional and

transformational. And I'm going to quote from his book his

explanation. At any stage of your writing. You can ask

yourself with a mirror moment in your story might be you can play

with it. You can brainstorm is that a transformational moment?

Is it about facing the toughest odds? What's going on inside

your character?

What do you want there to be going on? This is the apex of

what I call the Golden Triangle. This is the most crucial thing

to know, because this is what your story is really all about.

practice identifying examples of mirror moments in books, plays

and movies. Bell gives many great illustrations in his

mirror moment book. But let me supply a few more. Spoiler

alert. I'm going to talk about The Last Jedi so if you haven't

seen it, watch it first. The Last Jedi is from the latest

Star Wars trilogy, I think. And in the first movie The Force

Awakens and through most of the second movie The Last Jedi, the

main character array is searching for who she is. Who

are her parents. How did she wind up as an orphaned scavenger

on a desk? third planet. Most importantly, why does she have

such a powerful connection to the Force in The Force Awakens,

Ray glimpses her past. If you blink you miss her vision of the

moment she is stranded on Jakku as a very young child. As a

young adult, Ray is convinced her parents will return for her

some day, and she counts the days of her exile by keeping

score on the wall of her little house. When she gets caught up

in saving the droid, you know those pesky droids, she is

reluctant to leave Jakku for fear she will miss reuniting

with her family. To the outside observer. It's apparent that Ray

has pinned her hopes on wishful thinking. But she doesn't see

things that way and continues her search for identity in the

last Jedi. Finally, in the midst of her training with Luke and a

few intense moments with Kylo Ren re seeks answers in a very

dark place the mirror cave in the cave, she faces her greatest

fear. Instead of seeing her parents as she had hoped. She

sees infinite versions of herself in the mirror, both

ahead of her and behind her. This is when she realizes that

she is alone. Her future is up to her, she must decide what to

do next. I believe this is the moment when Ray finally puts

aside her childhood wishes and decides to take on her future as

an adult. She doesn't mature in a heartbeat far from it, but she

is ready for her transformation. You don't need an actual mirror.

Unless you're a famous Hollywood producer. Be careful about using

an actual mirror to make your point. It's been done before.

The mirror moment is simply when truth triumphs, or not. One of

my all time favorite books is the blue sword by Robin McKinley

the tale of anger Ed crew, also known as Harry in chapter 12,

roughly 70% of the way through the book, Harry has a

confrontation with the king she secretly loves when he shuts her

down mainly because he quote unquote knows better. She

considers her options and decides to strike out on her

own, knowing she will be cut off from her people for disobeying

the Kings wishes. This is Harry's mirror moment, she can

stay and maintain the status quo with the king or leave to raise

the alarm and gather help against the impending threat.

When she sets off during the night she leaves behind the sash

that symbolizes her rank, her personal stakes couldn't be

higher. The mirror moment is a point of realization and

decision no mirror needed. In this moment, your character or

characters move from being reactive to being proactive.

until Chapter 12 of the blue sword. Harry was on board

following along, questioning, but compliant after chapter 12

Harry takes charge despite the odds against her. Another

example of a mirror moment is in The Hunger Games by Suzanne

Collins When Rue is killed. At this point, Katniss goes from

playing defense to playing offense. We knew Katniss had

potential before this happens in the book. But afterward, we see

her stepping into a new role as an opponent, not only to the

other players, but to the government that created the

Hunger Games. Yes,

I love a strong kick butt heroine. But let's take up a

different example from Harry Potter and the Order of the

Phoenix otherwise known as book five. This is roughly the middle

of the Harry Potter series. The students have had many

adventures and misadventures up to this point. But things get

deadly serious during the reign of High Inquisitor Dolores

Umbridge. In Book five, Harry decides to teach his classmates

how to combat the dark arts. In my opinion, this is a moment

Harry chooses to live up to his potential. He is a reluctant

leader, but a leader nonetheless. From here on, Harry

is more proactive than reactive. A happy ending is not a given.

Mirror moments do not always lead to a happy ending or a

positive transformation. As we discussed in the beginning. For

today, though, we will assume your story's ending is going to

be positive. Your character will look inside their heart and

wonder what kind of person they are. What do they believe? Have

they believed a lie? What are they willing to sacrifice? The

stakes need to be high? And then we hope they went out. Your

homework is to read James Scott Bell's book. Write your novel

from the middle and new approach for plotters, Panthers and

everyone in between. The question for this week is what

is your favorite mirror moment in a book player Movie? That's

all I have for today. Until next time, keep writing. Thank you

for joining us today. If you enjoyed this episode, please

leave a comment and follow the podcast. If you're new around

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pursuits. Tips for authors that link and all the links mentioned

in today's episode are in the show notes at writing

pursuits.com. Please join us on Wednesdays for new episodes and

keep writing my friends. Keep writing