Fighting the Giant:

We usually think of showdowns coming at the end of the story, but early battles allow for new complications.

A crushing defeat early on gives your character something to prove. Do they doubt themselves? Will their allies stand with them? In reverse, a surprising victory could turn an enemy into a new ally, or spawn an even more powerful big bad, perhaps the mother or brother of the defeated foe.

1. Immediate Conflict: By pitting your character against one of their adversaries without delay, you thrust them headfirst into the heart of the conflict. This immediate clash can grip readers from the outset, setting the tone for a gripping and action-packed narrative.

2. Establishing Stakes: An early confrontation with an adversary can swiftly establish the stakes of the story. Readers witness the danger and challenges that lie ahead, igniting their curiosity and investment in the character’s journey.

3. Character Dynamics: An early showdown provides an opportunity to delve into the dynamics between the character and their adversaries. It allows readers to witness the initial sparks of rivalry, uncover the motivations driving both characters and anticipate the evolving power struggle.

4. Reader Engagement: By presenting one of the character’s adversaries early on, you engage readers’ imaginations and keep them eagerly turning the pages. They become invested in the outcome of the conflict, eager to see how the character will face this formidable challenge.

5. Foreshadowing: An early confrontation can serve as foreshadowing, hinting at the overarching conflict and character arcs that will unfold throughout the story. It sets the narrative wheels in motion, leaving readers with burning questions and a desire to explore what lies ahead.

6. Character Development: Facing an adversary early provides a platform for character development. It allows the character to showcase their strengths, weaknesses, and resourcefulness in the face of adversity. Readers witness the character’s growth and transformation from the outset.

7. Subverting Expectations: Deviating from the more traditional narrative structure can surprise and engage readers. By confronting adversaries immediately, you subvert their expectations and keep them guessing about the twists and turns that could still lie ahead.

8. Immediate Tension Release: If your story opens with a suspenseful or tense situation, an early confrontation can provide immediate tension release. It allows you to resolve the initial conflict while introducing a larger, overarching challenge.

9. Hooking Your Audience: An early character-adversary showdown can serve as a narrative hook, capturing the audience’s attention and compelling them to invest emotionally in the story. It’s an invitation to journey alongside the characters as they face formidable obstacles.

Ultimately, choosing to have your character confront an adversary right now can be a bold and effective storytelling choice. It plunges readers into the heart of the action, fosters engagement, and sets the stage for an enthralling narrative filled with twists, character development, and high-stakes conflict.

The Exercise:

If your character has a plan, how can they be forced to accelerate it? Perhaps they learn new information, or a window of opportunity is closing. Coincidences happen. Brainstorm ways your character and antagonist could find themselves in the same location unexpectedly.

List three ways an enemy could bring the fight to the character right now, no matter how much or how little you’ve written.

Questions to Consider:

• Why is the character facing this early confrontation with an adversary?
• What drives the character to engage in this conflict?
• What are the underlying motivations of the adversary in initiating this showdown?
• Is the setting where the immediate conflict takes place familiar to the character or someplace entirely unexpected?
• What sensory details can be used to immerse readers in the scene?
• What emotions and thoughts racing through the character’s mind as they are thrust into this early confrontation?
• What is the physical and emotional toll this early battle takes on the character?v
• What injuries or scars might they bear later, as a direct result?
• What are the overall reactions of other characters who witness this early showdown?
• Do they rally behind the character or express doubt and concern?
• What are the immediate consequences of this confrontation on the character’s goals and objectives?
• What drives the adversary to challenge the protagonist?
• How do they size each other up, both verbally and non-verbally?
• Is there a clear advantage?
• What are the noticeable strengths exhibited by the character?
• What are the noticeable weaknesses exhibited by the character?
• What are the noticeable strengths exhibited by the adversary?
• What are the noticeable weaknesses exhibited by the adversary?
• What elements of suspense and tension can you incorporate to keep readers invested?
• How does the environment come to life during the conflict?
• What are some of the questions or mysteries surrounding this encounter?
• How does the character adapt and evolve as the battle unfolds?
• How does the adversary adapt and evolve as the battle unfolds?
• How does the character overcome these obstacles?
• How does the adversary overcome these obstacles?
• How does this experience shape the character’s journey later?
• How does this experience shape the adversary’s journey later?
• How can you surprise readers with unexpected twists and outcomes?
• How does this early battle set the stage for further surprises and deviations from the norm?
• What assumptions does the character need to reevaluate after the encounter?
• What assumptions does the adversary need to reevaluate after the encounter?
• To what extent does the character have agency in the outcome of this conflict?
• To what extent does the adversary have agency in the outcome of this conflict?
• How does the early confrontation help alleviate or intensify initial suspense and tension?
• Does the resolution of this encounter create new challenges or opportunities for the character?
• Does the resolution of this encounter create new challenges or opportunities for the adversary?
• Are there moral or ethical dilemmas associated with the character’s actions during this confrontation?
• Are there moral or ethical dilemmas associated with the adversary’s actions during this confrontation?
• How do the characters grapple with the rightness or wrongness of their behavior?
• How does the adversary grapple with the rightness or wrongness of their behavior?
• What larger stakes of the story are hinted at or foreshadowed by this early confrontation?
• How does this conflict set the tone for the challenges and conflicts the character will face later in the narrative?
• What lingering conflicts or unresolved issues result from this conflict?
• What elements of the conflict are most likely to grab readers attention?
• In what ways can you subvert traditional narrative structures and surprise readers with this early confrontation?

What do you think of this exercise? Throw a comment at me down below. I would love to hear your thoughts.