In an article for Writer’s Digest, Lauren Reynolds shares tips for strengthening the middle of your novel. “Writing the middle section of a manuscript can be challenging for a variety of reasons,” she says. “Maintaining story momentum, escalating conflict, and demonstrating character evolution are no easy feat when writing this section.” There’s a reason writers and editors call it the muddy middle.
Reynolds suggests these methods for powering through:
- Character Development. “If you are stuck in the middle, this is a great time to temporarily set your manuscript aside and start homing in on your characters,” she says. Take time to do a deep dive into characterization, even if the details won’t make it into your story.
- Observe Other Artists’ Middle Sections. Studying how other writers navigate the mid-section is a powerful learning tool. “Watching the middle of a story unfold help[s] demystify the middle section’s goal—to escalate challenges/conflict and show the characters’ growth as they learn, evolve, and change,” Reynolds writes. “Having concrete examples of what a good middle looks like will help you understand how to solidify your story’s conflicts and character growth.”
- It’s Never Too Late to Write an Outline. If you aren’t working with an outline, try to put one together. “An outline highlights the main point of each chapter so you can determine if the character and narrative arc are progressing as they should,” Reynolds says.
- Keep on Writing Forward. Sometimes you just need to keep writing. “If you keep writing forward, despite disliking your middle section, you may find the answers you need as you write and complete your third act,” Reynolds suggests. “Writing and completing a first draft, even if there are holes within the chapters, will give you a better understanding of your characters and the story itself. Therefore, you will be better equipped with more information to polish this section during revision.”
- Print Your Middle Section. If you work online, reading your work in hard copy can trigger a different experience and new observations. Problems areas that you might skim in a computer document may stand out on paper. Read these sections aloud and make notes on what stands out.
