MUDDLING THROUGH THE MIDDLE
Stuck in the maze between beginning and ending?
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Your idea for a story is brilliant.
Original. You begin your novel, excited about the project, then it happens—you
get mired in the middle. Sound familiar?
That’s where I am
in my third novel, going down in quicksand with no save in sight! Recently I
read some great advice: when stuck in the middle of your novel, go ahead and
work on the end. Okay . . . Did that. The middle remains an endless sea of
ideas, twists, and surprises for the reader. I feel like I’m going in circles. What
to do now?
I look to my shelf
of how-to books on writing and basket of Writer’s Digest magazines, all
screaming advice. Some of the best suggestions:
1.
Go back to the beginning and work on your
characters’ evolution.
2.
Plan conflict resolution for your main
characters. And for the crime, if writing a mystery, thriller or suspense
novel.
3.
Go over all of your clues (or subplots) and make
sure they are all relevant. Add any that are needed, keeping them as subtle as possible.
4.
Work toward tying up loose ends. Start with one
and move on from there.
5.
Have the end planned? Work on it a bit, then go
back and see if it inspired you to work toward it!
6.
When all else fails, do something! Edit what you’ve written or develop an outline for your
book. Outlining is a tedious task, but will have the effect of bringing it all
together in your mind and encourage you to keep moving.
7.
Plan your final action scene. As a reader, I
like them to be neither too short
or too long. A dragged out climax will send your reader rushing to the end.
Also, one of my least favorite endings is when the killer (usually at gunpoint
one way or the other) tells the protagonist every detail of his/her crimes. Boring.
Find a more creative way to wrap things up.
Dear readers,
I hope these
suggestions are helpful. Putting them together has me eager to go back to my
writing! I’m getting over a lingering case of the flu and need to get my
physical and my writerly mojos back!
Thank you for
stopping in and for all your wonderful comments. If you have any other ideas
for tackling the middle, please share with us.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Marla
Writer Dave Here, Hi Marla,
ReplyDeleteI am at the middle in my second novel. I got unstuck by adding some more obstacles for the characters to overcome to drive the plot on.
The middle of the story is the odd one out. The beginning sets the scene, and hooks the reader. The end ties everything up.
The other problem is that you lose your drive in the middle! You have to get through all three parts.
Writing a novel is a marathon event!
I'm with you, Dave! The middle has me in a rut. but feeling better now, and will get back to it.
DeleteAdding more obstacles is a good idea. Can do that!
Nice to hear from you. Again, you are #1!!
Marla
They don't call them saggy middles for nothin'. I'm talking about books, not bodies. Although now that I think about it ...
ReplyDeleteI hate middles.
Hope you're feeling better, Marla!
Ha ha! You're right, both "middles" can be problematic. Can identify with sagging.
DeleteI'm feeling much better, thank you.
My solution to the writing-middle challenge is to just keep writing! There's always the delete key if I
take a wrong turn.
See you soon and thanks fo your comment,
Marla
Hi there! I have nominated you for "The Very Inspiring Blog Award"! Read this post for more information about what you have to do to accept it! http://lorrainemariereguly.wordpress.com/2013/06/03/the-very-inspiring-blogger-award-links-to-sites-for-freelancers-writers-and-poets/
ReplyDeleteHi Lorraine,
DeleteThanks, I'll check it out! Glad you stopped in.Have a nice week,
Marla
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteHI Marina,
DeleteI had to look up iterative. I was hoping it meant working without an outline, because I tend to do that! Guess it means in no particular order when applied to writing. I think and plan when I walk, too, and even bought a recorder to carry with me. Haven't used it much, though. Seems to spoil the creative mood!
Visiting the place your story is in sounds like a super idea. May have to try that one.
Thanks so much for contributing!
Marla
Sorry, Marina, I deleted your comment by mistake and can't find a way to repost it!
DeleteIterative mean that you are able to jump back to change or add things and then continue where ever you want to.
DeleteHope my advice will help
Great word! Sure applies to my writing style, too. LOL
DeleteThanks for sharing,
Marla
I love this! Concise and encouraging. Thanks for sharing, Marla!
ReplyDeleteHi Kaela,
DeleteHappy to hear you enjoyed this blog. I like to talk about things that are problems for me as a writer
and a reader.
Have a fun weekend,
Marla