Stage 1: The Ordinary World The first stage — The Ordinary World — happens to be one of the most essential elements of any story, even ones that don’t follow the twelve-stage structure to a tee.
Here I offer three reasons why writers need to show protagonists in their Ordinary World.
1. To Set Up How the Conflict Disrupts the Character’s Ordinary Life
When you open the story within the character’s Ordinary World, you’re establishing their comfort zone — a world that they’re complacent with or used to living.
Paul, our protagonist, is viewed feeding an infant. How many men or fathers have that opportunity? But, this is Paul's world, an ordinary world of him as primary caregiver to Paul and Anne's, his wife, daughter.
2. To Foreshadow the Story to Come
The Ordinary World at the beginning of a story offers the writer a chance to foreshadow events to come, plant plot and character devices that pay off later within the story, and even allows for the opportunity to present themes and metaphors that will be explored within the narrative.
Will the Court, the custody industry, and the village of neighbors award Paul custody. Do the Courts act in the best interest of the children? These are themes to be explored as we are introduced to them.
3. To Create Catharsis and Empathy
Today’s cinematic interpretation of catharsis can be translated as the feeling we feel after the resolution of the story and the protagonist’s overall journey.
We will view Paul experiencing the trauma of separation and ultimate resolution as the audience identifies with him and empathizes with his plight.

Mick, The Doctor of Digital, Smith mick.smith@wsiworld.com
Burning America: In the Best Interest of the Children?
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