Specific question about 3 Act structure

If a story has a point where the main character gets into a fight that makes them into a fugitive from the law, would that be at the end of Act 1, or the beginning of Act 2?

I would say the end of act 1, because the start of act 2 would then have space for a timeskip if needed/preferred to show what their life is like on the run and you can jump straight into establishing the new status quo

it depends. The break into act two is the point of no return, where the hero cannot go back to the initial status quo, and they've taken up the challenge that we need to resolve by the end.

Wait. misread. I thought you were asking if it should be the end of act 1 or the end of act two, and I was about to go into the dramatic purpose of the ending of act two. this would absolutely be the end of act one, not the start of act two

I think it depends on what you want to do. If there is another 3-act thing coming afterwards, you make it end of part 2, then the character being a fugitive in chapter 3 and getting caught right at the end. Or did they? Cliffhanger.

CJ : that’s what I figured, otherwise act 1 just kind of ends like a wet fart before things “get good” in act 2

fairy lights : thank you

np!

Glad I was helpful, too.