PROTAGONIST IS FACED WITH AN IMPOSSIBLE CHOICE
Deep down your protagonist knows it’s not worth staying in their comfort zone. Taking the risk and potentially getting what they want sounds much better.
So, the impossible question is: do they go or not (do they pick desire or fear)?
Once they make this choice (and it has to be a choice), they can’t go back to the old way of living anymore. Often times the character physically leaves the location and goes on a journey but that’s not always the case.
In some situation (if they’re in danger for example), the Inciting Incident and the first plot point are the same. The protagonist is thrust into action and makes the choice later. Even then, the only reasonable choice for them is to engage with the events if they don’t want to face bigger consequences.
Examples:
Tangled: Despite her fear of disappointing her mother, (and of the outside world), Rapunzel knows that staying inside her comfort zone, her tower, will never make her happy. She will wither away if she doesn’t seize this opportunity. She’s torn between the lights and disappointing her mother. After a debate with Pascal, and a breakdown, she makes the choice to go.
The Greatest Showman: After losing his job, P.T. Barnum is left with a choice; find another unfulfilling, mind-numbing job or take the risk to get what he really wants—success. But Barnum knows that if he keeps going like this, it will be the death of him. He needs to take this risk to make something out of himself or he will never be happy.
This choice launches your characters into their new world; The Pre-Midpoint Reactionary Hero.
Good luck!
