How to Write a Page-Turner
Did you know the essence of writing a page-turner can often come down to a single phrase?
It’s true! There is a simple two-word phrase I have been LOVING recently. It helps me ensure my story is always on the right track and always moving forward.
Even better, it's a phrase I can apply to and see in action in almost every story I consume.
You ready for the phrase?
Here it is:
Progress, but…
Let’s talk about what that means.
Write a Page-Turner by Relying on Progress
I have a big statement I’m ready to make: Every slow or boring story you encounter is probably the result of a lack of progress.
Why?
Because in order to continually keep your story moving forward, to keep your pacing and your plot tight, and to foster a satisfying transformation for your protagonist, you need to have a heavy emphasis on progress.
Of course, even progress without complication is boring, right? And we’re trying to avoid boring! So the idea of progress needs a companion.
In thinking about this, I started noticing that all the stories I was consuming had an addendum to the progress taking place in every scene. A “but,” if you will.
Make Your Story Move with Relevant Complications
Complications are the “but” part of “progress, but.” They’re the way you ensure nothing is too easy for your protagonist; the way you make your story interesting and full of tension; the way you make the ending satisfying. After all, struggle makes the end result so much more sweet.
However, there is one big thing to consider when coming up with any scene’s “but:”
The “but” should never detract from the overall goal.
No matter how fast-paced, action-packed, or tension-riddled, if a scene’s progress or complication have nothing to do with the protagonist’s overall plot goal/problem they need to solve and/or their emotional character arc, it will end up feeling boring and out of place.
Let’s look at an example.
In The Last Jedi (a movie I happen to love, but recognize has a few…issues), Rey is trying to solve the problem of getting Luke to help the Resistance. When that plan fails, she moves on to Kylo Ren. They need outside help—a jedi—and she’s on the case.
These are great goals, with plenty of examples of “progress, but” that fall in line with the overall plot and Rey’s internal arc. When it comes to Rey’s storyline, it has all the elements of a page-turner. And yet, many people have issues with this film.
One of the biggest reasons comes down to the secondary storyline.
In theory, Finn is trying to help the Resistance (and therefore Rey) with the side missions he sets out on with Rose. The problem is, they go off on too many tangents and don’t actually end up making any real progress toward the plot goal, despite all of their efforts and complications.
As a result, the story can feel off-center and even, at times, boring.
The complications—and the progress—have to fit within the overall arc of the story and character.
Examples of Page-Turner Progress and Complications
To drive this concept home, let’s look at one of my husband’s favorite films: Mission Impossible: Fallout.
The Mission Impossible films—all of them—are masterclasses when it comes to the idea of “progress, but.” Those stories move. They are fast-paced, fun, and satisfying.
This is because they know how to set up a goal and then make progress toward it in a satisfying and problem-ridden way.
As consumers of stories, we want to feel like we and the protagonist have earned their goal. And if it comes too easily, that’s exactly how it feels. Too easy. Boring. Unsatisfying. Instead, we need relevant complications that progress toward a single overall objective.
Let’s see how Mission Impossible: Fallout accomplishes this. We’ll just look at the first few scenes in order to get an idea…
Scene 1
Goal: Setup
We’re reminded of Ethan’s demons by seeing the guilt he carries over the danger in which he puts those he loves.
Scene 2
Goal: Establish the mission (plot goal)
A group called the Syndicate is creating havoc and destruction in the world. Ethan needs to track down the plutonium they are trying to get their hands on before they can create nuclear weapons that would threaten millions.
Scene 3
Goal: Get the plutonium
PROGRESS TOWARD GOAL: Ethan and his team pose as buyers and attempt to purchase the plutonium.
COMPLICATION (BUT): Unseen enemies show up and threaten a member of Ethan’s team. Ethan makes a choice to save his team—and consequently loses the plutonium.
Scene 4
Goal: Get the passcode that will help Ethan and his team track down a member of the Syndicate called “John Lark”
PROGRESS TOWARD GOAL: Ethan and his team capture the scientist tasked with creating the nuclear weapons. They convince him the Syndicate was successful in deploying the weapons, and then hack into his phone in order to track down the author of the Syndicate’s manifesto, John Lark.
COMPLICATION (BUT): The plutonium is still on its way to the Syndicate.
Scene 5
Goal: Plan to infiltrate the meeting between John Lark and the White Widow
PROGRESS TOWARD GOAL: We now know where John Lark will be and how to get the plutonium back from the seller who has gotten ahold of it (the White Widow) before she sells it to him.
COMPLICATION (BUT): The CIA blocks Hunt and his superior at the IMF, declaring she has authority over the mission, and Hunt can only go to the meeting if he takes one of her agents with him.
Scene 6
Goal: Get to the meeting between John Lark and the White Widow
PROGRESS TOWARD GOAL: Hunt briefs the CIA agent on their plan to infiltrate the meeting. We learn more about the agent’s methods and background.
COMPLICATION (BUT): When they open the plane in order to skydive to the meeting point, Hunt sees an electrical storm. He wants to devise a new plan, but the agent jumps and is struck by lightning.
You get the point. This is how it goes through the entire film.
There is progress toward the plot goal of reclaiming the plutonium (and the weapons it creates) and consistent complications that stand in the way of the particular scene’s mini-goal that will help them achieve that bigger plan.
Story Map
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Story Map 〰️
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What Makes a Page-Turning Complication?
The “but” complication could be a myriad of things. Let’s name a few, as I always find examples helpful.
A problem in the plan
A setback
An argument/disagreement
A reveal/surprise
A betrayal
An unexpected reaction (new feelings)
An unfamiliar situation
In essence, a complication is anything that complicates the forward progress without nullifying it completely (even if a protagonist is driven back to square one, they should have tools, experience, knowledge, etc. they didn’t have at the beginning). It doesn’t have to include action or explosions. It can be quiet and compelling.
Remember, the key is not making the protagonist’s journey toward her end goal too easy, while always driving her toward it.
If you keep this rhythm throughout your story, I promise it will feel fast-paced, exciting, and engaging.
Next week, I’ll be back with another example of great storytelling from the Mission Impossible franchise. Get ready to break down an excellent example of a scene.
