What is 觸發事件?
觸發事件（或催化因素）是打斷主角日常生活、並使主要浪漫情節開始運作的那一刻。它提出故事與角色選擇將圍繞的核心問題或難題。
觸發事件是一個事件、發現或邂逅，迫使主角走出日常生活，並創造推動故事前進的初始衝突或機會。在浪漫題材中，它往往是一次甜蜜的邂逅、一場意外的重逢、背叛，或改變兩段關係走向的消息。它通常出現在故事的早期，並引入角色必須回應的問題、慾望或障礙——為情感賭注與情節開端提供理由。
Usage example
在浪漫喜劇裡，觸發事件可能是主角不小心把調情訊息傳給錯誤的號碼，點燃互相調情的對話，從而促成會面並萌生情感。在二次機會的浪漫中，觸發事件可能是一場婚禮邀請，讓前任回到同一個城鎮，迫使他們面對未解決的情感。
Practical application
對於作家與互動式故事設計師而言，一個強有力的觸發事件能迅速吸引讀者，並為選擇賦予分量：它定義了所涉的利害關係、主角想要什麼或害怕什麼，以及為何決定會影響結果。在像 Endless Romance 這樣以選擇為驅動的應用中，你可以使用單一清晰的催化因素，或提供與玩家選擇相連的不同觸發事件——每個都應創造直接的情感利害、邀請參與，並在邏輯上自然過渡到第一個重大轉折點。
FAQ
How soon should the inciting incident happen?
It should occur early—often within the first 10–25% of the story—to hook readers and establish the central question. In interactive formats you can surface it quickly while still allowing short prelude scenes for character grounding.
Is the inciting incident the same as the story’s climax or first plot point?
No. The inciting incident triggers the main conflict or desire; the first plot point (or act break) is a later moment that commits the protagonist to a new course of action and propels them into the next act. The climax comes much later as the conflict peaks.
Can a story have more than one inciting incident?
Yes. A narrative can feature a primary catalyst plus secondary catalysts that complicate matters—especially in branching interactive stories where different choices can trigger different inciting events.
Does the inciting incident have to be dramatic?
No. It can be subtle—a quiet revelation, overheard conversation, or small mistake—so long as it meaningfully disturbs the protagonist’s status quo and raises a compelling question or need.