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June 19, 2025 10 mins

Writers often get stuck at the transition between Act Two and Act Three—especially when the “all hope is lost” moment doesn’t quite fit their story. Is this moment supposed to be the character’s lowest emotional point? Is redemption supposed to kick in right away? What if your character is still flailing?

In this episode, Zena challenges the conventional “lowest point” terminology and offers a more nuanced, flexible way to think about this crucial plot transition—and how understanding this shift can raise the stakes and deepen your protagonist’s arc.

Want access to office hours like this one?This episode comes straight from Zena’s monthly Office Hours, an exclusive perk for anyone who’s ever taken one of her courses. These private Q&A sessions are your chance to get unstuck, get clarity, and get expert feedback—directly from Zena herself.

Get in on it: Take any of Zena’s courses to unlock lifetime access to Office Hours.
If you're ready to deepen your craft and get personal feedback from Zena herself, check out her online courses.


Seven Deadly Plot Points FREE TRAINING VIDEO



#amwriting #authorproblems #shortstory #screenplayformat #writingtips #writersconnection #christianscreenwriter #StoryStructure #WritingTips #PlotDevelopment #ActTwoToThree #ScreenwritingLife 

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