How to Strengthen Your Plot with the Pivotal Choice: Advice from a Developmental Editor

Want to know how to strengthen your plot with a powerful pivotal choice. Agnes Wolfe asks advice from a developmental editor on how to structure a story plot, strengthen your plot, and craft good character development in fiction.
In this eighth episode of the 52-week Story Savvy series, Rebecca—founder and host of Hart Bound Editing [http://hartboundediting.com]—shares in-depth insights alongside Agnes Wolfe, aspiring writer and host of Authors’ Alcove [http://authorsalcove.com].
This episode explores story structure for novels and how to make your protagonist’s most critical choice meaningful, ensuring it aligns with your story’s theme and message while driving the plot forward. Learn why the global crisis is one of the most important turning points in your book, how to structure it effectively, and what mistakes to avoid. Whether you're outlining, drafting, or revising, these expert strategies will help you become a better fiction writer and turn your good story into a great one.
This episode covers:
How to craft a high-stakes global crisis that resonates with readers.
Why your protagonist’s biggest choice should tie into your story’s theme and message.
How to prevent secondary characters from overshadowing your protagonist in key scenes.
Common plot structure mistakes and how to fix them.
Rebecca also shares insights on avoiding passive protagonists, ensuring the global crisis is the heart of the story, and how different genres approach this major turning point. Whether you’re on your first draft or final revision, this episode is packed with actionable writing tips to help you tell a stronger, more engaging story.
Recommended Resources:
Story Grid – [https://storygrid.com]
Developmental Editing Services (Expert Feedback) – [https://hartboundediting.com]
Authors’ Alcove Membership Site - authorsalcove.com
Book Giveaway - authorsalcove.org
Have questions about self-editing or storytelling? Drop them in the comments, and we’ll answer them in future episodes!
[00:00] Intro
[00:00] What If My Protagonist, Can’t Make the Big Choice?
[00:00] What Happens if the Secondary Character Becomes the Protagonist?
[00:00] How Does My Protagonist’s Choice Affect the Theme of My Story?
[00:00] Did I Choose the Right Path for My Protagonist?
[00:00] Did My Story Choice Work?
[00:00] Is My Pivotal Choice Satisfying?
[00:00] Should the Global Crisis be Considered at the Scene Level?