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@j-a-penrose I know this is super late, but I really wanted to try this challenge. Here we go!

The first is one of my books that I’ve already written, the second is a vague idea for a plot for my fire moon story. (I’m definitely going to write it someday, now that I have the basic plot line.)

Ashen Blaze

1. Characteristic Moment

The main character, Ariella, escapes the deadly fire which burns her village, Karis. This fire was started by dragons, and is one of the reasons that Ariella comes to hate them.

2. The Inciting Incident

After escaping the fire, Ariella is found by her brother, Orin, and he tells her (quite cryptically) that they have to leave their home and go to live with distant relatives. He also tells her that their parents didn’t make out of the fire, and Ariella becomes even more bitter toward the dragons.

3. The Moment of Truth

In her new home in the village of Metela, Ariella meets new people, is given an odd message from a fairy and a boy called Adrian, and has a dream of a past she cannot remember. She determines to get the truth from her brother about the fire and about her own origin. Following Orin’s (still cryptic) explanation, Ariella’s uncle speaks to her about the hatred that has been gradually growing in her heart, and urges her to forgive, but she refuses.

4. Period of Despair

Some time later, she goes on a journey to seek more answers. She doesn’t find what she expected, and some startling things are revealed. Then her brother announces his plan to sail to another island to look for work, and he leaves. A month afterward, the news of his death is brought, and Ariella is plunged into the same despair as after the Karis fire. While still mourning him, Ariella’s aunt and uncle are taken by the men in black, who she only knows by the cryptic warnings that have been given to her in the past.

5. Surge of Strength

Ariella finds a small, carved dragon that her uncle had made for her months before, at the time that he told her to forgive. In tears, she says that she cannot forgive, only remember. Nonetheless, she finds comfort and hope. Adrian, her old “nemesis,” also has a change of heart and promises to help her in whatever way he can.

6. The Denouement

(Since this is a series, I can only partially wrap it up here and foreshadow the next book.)

The men in black return to Metela, searching for Ariella, and she escapes with the help of Adrian and an old friend. She makes it to safety, and there is some foreshadowing not only for the second book, but also the third. The book ends on a note of hope, not only for Ariella, but also for one of her surviving family members.

 

On the Night of the Fire Moon

1. Characteristic Moment

Zillah Nighthawk has lived her whole life as a Bandit in the Swampland, and she’s tired of it. She wants freedom, so she prays to the moon on the one night of the year that it might answer her, but it doesn’t.

2. The Inciting Incident

When Zillah finally decides to risk escape, something new happens. Clan Hawk attains a prisoner. This prisoner happens to be one of the Wardens, the group bent on stopping the unlawful activity of the Bandits. Even though he is spitefully treated, the prisoner is kind to his captors, and to Zillah. She decides that if she’s going to escape, she’ll free him, hoping he’ll guide her to a safe place in the Wardens’ territory.

3. The Moment of Truth

They escape and are pursued by the best hunters of Clan Hawk, but Zillah and her new friend, Siege, cleverly evade them. During their journey, Siege reveals to Zillah about the god of the Wardens, who is called by some the Ancient One, and others the Emperor of All. Zillah believes that Siege is telling the truth, and after they part ways, she promises to the Ancient One that she will serve him and no other.

4. Period of Despair

At the moment when she has freedom from all she ever feared, Zillah is recaptured and brought back to the Swampland to face trial and judgment before her clan. She is sentenced to eternal binding, which requires her to pledge loyalty to the chief, but she cannot, and would not have done so even if it were possible.

5. Surge of Strength

Somehow, word is brought to Siege of Zillah’s plight. This is just the nudge the Wardens and their allies, the thunderbirds, needed to launch a full-scale attack on the Swampland. The Bandits are scattered, and Zillah is freed once and for all, as are many others who were bound.

6. The Denouement

Even though she has her freedom, Zillah decides to remain in the Swampland, having made it her personal mission to intercede for those who are yet bound. The story ends one year from when it began, but Zillah no longer seeks an answer from the moon, having found true freedom in serving another.