Change isn’t genuine until it costs your character something.
In every significant second chance story, there comes a moment when the character must prove that they’re different—that they’re willing to fight for what they lost or what they long for.
And even if they aren’t different yet, they want to make the change. They know it won’t be easy, in fact it may be the hardest thing they’ve ever done. Or it might be a matter of letting go of a way they think, walls they’ve built, a habit that has become a way of life, or a heart attitude.
They have reached the point in their life journey that words are no longer enough. It’s time to act. No more ‘all talk, no action.’
The Purpose of the “Effort or Cost” Phase
In this stage of the arc:
- The character takes emotional or relational risks. This requires courage: letting go, giving up something they have held precious, such as self protection — becoming vulnerable.
- The story tests their growth through action. No more promising to break the addiction, face the results of an action, or do better. This is where the rubber meets the road.
- The second chance starts to feel earned, not handed over. This is an author opportunity for character depth.
This can be the most cathartic part of the story—for both character and reader.
June:
In Last Wish. June realizes that what she originally did to protect Michael (raising their son Jaime on her own) had developed into the belief that she was the only one Jaime needed. She had switched from protecting Michael to protecting herself from Michael.
This requires loosening her tight grip on control, something that has spread into other areas of her life. She has to relearn how to trust Michael.
Michael, whose deepest desire in life was for a family with June must forgive and see things from a different POV. He stays when he could walk away.
He chooses grace over anger, and patience over control.
Kristi
Self sufficient Kristi believes if she can keep control of everything in her life, she’ll avoid failure. Success is dependent upon not weakening, not giving up, and denying what her heart really wants. She never gets entangled, nothing will keep her from her mission, and she believes all ranchers hate wild horses. The things she believes make her independent turn into crutches to avoid living life.
Bob, who has become a chameleon due to rejection learns if he wants Kristi to love him, he has to prove he’s not like his rancher father, something easier said than done when circumstances seem to prove otherwise.
Rylie
In Remember Not, Rylie has built a fortress around herself to make certain she i never hurt again. She believes that a successful career as a horse trainer is all she needs for a complete-enough life. She carries a semi load of guilt for decisions she made to survive believing she should have done better.
Lizzie Stratton:
Lizzie, in What’s There to Love?, makes a huge life change when she leaves home, changes her identity, and pursues the life she wants instead of what her father has determined. She becomes a tough girl and a long the way has to let go of her fears and her angle to become the person she was created to be.
Chad must give up his wayward lifestyle, allow his wounds to heal, and admit his true need before he can begin to work toward his goal.
Grey:
In my work-in-progress, tentatively titled If You Follow Your Heart, Grey sacrifices his carefully curated anonymity and emotional safety to help Charli rebuild her life. He risks caring again—even though he’s been burned before.
Effort Must Match the Failure
The deeper the betrayal, the bigger the cost required to heal it.
Ask yourself:
- What emotional risk would terrify my character—but still be within reach?
- What action would speak louder than an apology?
- What kind of sacrifice proves, “I’ve changed”?
This is the Redemption Test
At this point in the story:
The second chance isn’t guaranteed.
- In a romance there isn’t certainty the hero and heroine will be united based on the big change.
- There is no promise that they will gain anything except perhaps personal growth.
- It’s the character’s decision to try anyway that pulls out their deepest qualities and defines them.
This is when readers begin to believe in the possibility of restoration.
Writing Tip: Show, Don’t Promise
- Avoid speeches, unless they’re backed by action. This is when their character qualities show up.
- Allow the hero to show up uninvited—just to help. Let him come to the rescue for something large or small.
- Show the heroine returning something she could have kept hidden, or cracking a door open she’d slammed shut.
- Let the action be something small, costly, and meaningful.
- Or let the action be significant but make sure your character has the depth worthy of the action, unless you’re writing a Super Man comic.
Remember:
They must act on their desire, even without a guarantee of success. They show up when it’s hard.
Here’s one of my favorite examples of change & courage:
Marlin in Finding Nemo
- Cost: After his family is eaten Marlin has one little egg left. He’s the best helicopter dad ever! Marlin is terrified of the ocean—but when Nemo is taken he swims across it to find him.
- Sacrifice: He sacrifices his control, gives up his fear, and even relinquishes dignity through humiliating encounters with the sharks, jellyfish, and other sea world horrors.
- Why it works: He doesn’t just apologize for being overprotective—he proves his love through every hard step of the journey.
The second chance isn’t in finding Nemo—it’s in learning to let go, trust others, and love his son better.
Closing Thought
Second chances aren’t granted—they’re chosen. And they’re fought for. Making the choice can mean choosing to walk through fire.
Next up in the series: The Gatekeeper – Forgiveness, Trust, and the Choice to Let Love In
Want to catch up with parts 1 & 2?
Part 1: The Wound That Starts It All: Trauma, Response, and the Roots of a Second Chance
Part 2: The Catalyst: When a Second Chance Becomes Necessary
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