The Ordinary World

Unless you're writing a thriller or an action adventure that begins in the middle of the action, the Ordinary World is an important place to understand. Most writing philosophies and methods, including screenplays incorporate some kind of glimpse at the beginning of a character's journey. Here's why:

It's impossible to gain the full perspective of a character's arc without seeing where he/she came from, both physically and emotionally. Like a rainbow captured in fragments, we can appreciate its beauty, but can't grasp the full scope--the beginning and end--for the full effect. At the story's conclusion, we must know without doubt the character has developed and grown through the trials of the story. If we don't know his beginning, we cannot appreciate the fully -realized character at the end.

The Ordinary World is also important for staging the growth of the larger world surrounding the character. This gives the story higher stakes beyond that of the protagonist(s). Not every character has to save the world from a bomb, but audience want to know this character's growth will resonate beyond the micro-world of the story. Think of it as an arc for setting. Maybe, through the events of the story, the town evolves from one of hatred to acceptance or from a closed-mentality to a wider perspective. The larger world doesn't have to be a town. Any group of people defined throughout the story can show the impact of the character's journey beyond the protagonist. If the reader doesn't see the Ordinary World the hero(ine) occupies, the chance for a resonating message at the end is lost.

Most stories, especially romance, benefit from a less-explosive first scene because it allows us an emotional investment in the character before the inciting incident whisks them along.

Alicia Rasley teaches an amazing course on beginnings. Find her articles about craft on her website.