ok Inciting Incident?

I haven't started revising/editing my WIP yet, but is this in okay inciting incident?

My inciting incident is when my MC is nearly run over by a carriage. The wealthy woman introduces herself, asks questions, and decides to let my MC come home with her and live with her family.

Prior to that, my MC had been banished from her village. And she didn't have a place to belong, which is what she wants. The woman taking her home is what changes her ordinary world.

WillSauger said:

What's the problem now?

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A long time friend of the family is planning to ruin the family business.(but he acts kind, friendly, personable, etc so the family has no idea of his real intentions.)

MC decides to take things into her own hands to stop him, after she tries to tell everyone, and no one believes her. And she has a prior witchcraft accusation hanging over her head. Which would ruin her chances of finding her place, feeling wanted, should someone find out.

BethS said:

That seems reasonable. How long ago was she banished? Before the story opens?

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A few months prior. Yes before the story opens.

Thank you. Technically she's not an old woman. She's in her 50's at least. But I get what you are saying.

brianjanuary said:

As you have it, going to the woman's house is Plot Point One and the banishment is the Inciting Incident. The Inciting Incident should be a hook that sets the stage for the first plot point, which is the springboard for getting the main story goal rolling.

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I hadnt thought about that before. Thank you for the clarification. Could the other things I spoke of still work? Your answer gave me a lot to think about.

She encounters the friend of the family after she is taken in by Isobel, the woman. Alexander, the friend of Isobel and her husband is a fellow merchant. My MCs banishment from her village for witchcraft happens before Isobel finds her. Sorry if I didn't make this clear.

ARoyce said:

I agree that the banishment probably the inciting incident...especially if it's the result of people not believing her about that friend of the family. Of not, the actual inciting incident might be her attempt to convince the others of that friend's betrayal. Being taken in by the woman can still be the starting moment of the story, but the start isn't necessarily the same as the conflict that gets the protagonist going.

Keep in mind that some stories end up depicting the inciting incident in flashback, especially if the story starts in medias res (in the middle of things).

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Thank you. Will definitely consider the stuff that was said. I just posted because I didn't want people to get confused with some parts of my story. I will consider the flashback thing to portray the inciting incident.

dawinsor said:

What's the problem your MC will face in the story? The inciting incident should push her into dealing with that problem no matter how much she hates the idea. I assume she's going to run into the plot's main problem at the woman's home, but I don't think you're at the inciting incident yet.

The incident pushes the MC through a door and slams it behind her. Now she has to deal with a plot problem that will also force her to confront whatever inner issues she has. You may have it a few pages further on.

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The plot's main problem will take place at the woman's home. The family "friend" and business partner is trying to betray them. (the "friend" is the antagonist.) My MC wants to stop him. ( but no one believes her, which makes things harder. Having a witchcraft accusation on her head from her home village doesn't help matters.)

Perhaps my MC being banished could be the inciting incident? But yeah I like the SYW advice. (if I do go a head with SYW what I am posting will be rough and will be changed a lot. It would be posted to get a feel for the writing and to help people get a better grasp on the story.)

I am just glad I am dealing with this early, rather than it being pointed out in the next rewrite. Taking care of it now will save me a lot of head aches later.