This is my first time keeping strictly to Syd Field’s four-chunk formula of Act I, Act IIA up to the midpoint, Act IIB from the midpoint to the reveal, and Act III. When I wrote the outline for the Pismo story, I was just taking for granted that the four-chunk thing would work for me—it seemed reasonable, but it was still basically an act of faith.

I have to say, though, that both last week while writing the midpoint and today while writing the reveal, I felt the chunk-break transitions so strongly that it almost seemed like I should stick my arms in the air and yell “Woo!” I hope at least a little of that exhilaration manages to trickle through to the reader…