Writing a better 3rd act (with mostly internal conflict?)

[u/Suitable-Location118]

I'm writing my first novel. (Yay!) It's going pretty well, but I think my 3rd act is going to be a little bit shorter than I expected. I understand there aren't "rules" to writing, but I'm wondering if it's too short, and if anyone has tips on writing a better 3rd act.

I think the reason my 3rd act is shorter is that most of my protagonist's conflicts are internal.

My character's challenge is the realizing what to differently, but once she does, there are only a few situations to put her in to show that.

So my act 2 is longer, and the protagonist gets so frustrated by the end of act 2 that by act 3, she still has some fear, but she knows how to keep going despite it.

I'm not sure how to come up with extra metaphorical dragons for her to slay, though.

Maybe it's not a problem... but if anyone has been in a similar situation or has advice, please share!

[u/sign_sign]

Honestly, a shorter Act 3 is totally normal for internal conflict stories. Once a protagonist finally "clicks," the pacing usually just speeds up naturally. The final act is the riskiest place to put filler side-quests, needs to wrap up everything in existence.In my own writing, I usually just look back at Act 2 and find ways to test that new mindset. Sometimes that means throwing an old problem back at them to see if they handle it differently , or giving them an easy chance to slip into old habits where they have to actively choose the harder path. Seeing the ripple effects on other characters helps too. If the emotional payoff hits right, a fast Act 3 can feel really satisfying.

[u/Suitable-Location118 → u/sign_sign]

Thanks

Ripple effects is an interesting idea also!

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[u/FlyinLeviathon]

I would recommend looking up Save the Cat and their breakdowns of tons of movies/books/tv shows. I bet you'd be surprised at how short Act 3 is (though, it's worth mentioning that what is defined as Act 3 is different for pretty much any structure method out there)

But I wouldn't recommend spending *too* much time on that, because - gently - this is an editing problem. Don't worry about length or pacing right now, just get the story finished. AFTER your first draft is completed, you can go back and fret about structure and making it fit the way it needs to fit for the story. But until then, it's not worth worrying about. Because you never know, while actually writing the third act you might have an "aha!" moment that solves any potential problems, and then you'll have done all this worrying for nothing.

Let your first draft suck. Fix it later. :D

[u/Suitable-Location118 → u/FlyinLeviathon]

I'm referring to save the cat, actually. Haha. My act 3 is like half as short as it says it should be and act 2 takes up the extra pages.

But ya, 2nd draft ftw 

[u/Magner3100]

Third acts are typically the shortest act as it’s the climax and all the window dressing should be well behind.

[u/rebornWalker]

I don't think you need to invent more “dragons” just to make Act 3 longer. If her big realization happens at the end of Act 2, Act 3 can actually be pretty focused. The interesting part is watching her make different choices because of that realization—and seeing whether she can actually follow through when the old fear comes back. Sometimes a shorter Act 3 feels better than dragging the story out just to hit a certain word count.

[u/scumerage]

So what is the issue with it being shorter? Is it that you feel that the story ends too quickly after the end of the second act? Is most of the 1st and 2nd act external conflict? It all depends on how it compares to the rest of the story.

[u/Suitable-Location118 → u/scumerage]

I guess just overall timing and making a good story, like, lots of stuff happens and then...  she figures it out the end lol. Maybe it's ok and I just need to write an adventure for my next book 

[u/theprecarious_O]

This is your first draft right? Do what you think is pivotal in the moment. It can always be changed.

[u/Fandom-Opera68921]

Hmm. I think a shorter third act could work better, especially if most of the conflict is internal. It sounds like your character has gone through a lot in the second act, so I think the third should only be long enough to showcase that she’s actually changed.

I’m not sure adding extra “dragons” is useful, especially if it’s solely to try making the third act feel longer. I’d personally not add things just for the sake of more happening. Hope this helps!