Day 33: The Montage

As you move through the manuscript, you'll hit the Montage after the Rock Bottom moment. We call it a "montage" because oftentimes in movies there is a montage in this part of the story in which the protagonist trains, builds something, or tries something new.
It's important that all of the major elements of your Novel Matrix plan are in play prior to the Icarus Moment, which occurs at the end of the Montage. Every character, conflict, and important element of the universe must have been introduced before the middle of the second act. The Montage is your last opportunity to get everybody on the page.
ASSIGNMENT: Write for one full hour. Record the exact time you wrote for and the wordcount achieved.
FOR FURTHER STUDY: For more information on the Montage, the Icarus Moment, and Deus ex Machina, pick up a copy of The Novel Matrix by Brad Pauquette on Amazon: amzn.to/3W3nLcn
The Novel Matrix is now the #1 New Release Fiction Writing Reference on Amazon.

[@TimBartja]

Your point about making sure all of the protagonist's tools are made known at this point is a strong enforcement for having a complete plan before diving into the drafting process. It's so easy to accidently slip into deus ex machina territory and think you're doing an effective twist!

[@bradpauquette]

Thanks! You're right, such a fine line between a good twist and deus ex machina.