The Sagging Middle…

How do I fix it?

I hear this concern a lot but don’t see too much advice on how to fix it… mostly b/c those who
suffer from it have no clue how to fix it. LOL

So here’s an article from Alicia Rasley:
www.sff.net/people/alicia/artmid.htm

She states “The sagging middle we’re concerned with is between the
opening and the climax of a book. Many writers lose control and
motivation in these essential intervening chapters because they forget
the purposes of the middle of the book.”

That’s an awfully big middle. Between the opening and the climax?!
There’s a lot of space there. Do you know where your story is headed?

So what is a middle supposed to do?

“But the middle is more than a transition from point C to point W. The
important middle scenes develop conflict and explore the setting,
characters, and theme, while moving the plot forward,” she says.

Ahah, that’s right. I’m supposed to develop a setting (hopefully
memorable), develop my characters and let readers get to know them,
their unique personality, and their troubles, introduce and develop
the conflict.

Now there’s a lot more to the article but I found this list of “multi
purpose scenes” wonderful. And I’ve heard this from many published
authors before. Make a scene do double duty. Don’t just introduce a
character, introduce a setting as well. Show a person’s inner struggle
while furthering the conflict.

Here’s the list:

• Develop character.
• Show character interaction.
• Explore setting or culture and values.
• Introduce new character or subplot.
• Forward subplot.
• Increase tension and suspense.
• Increase reader identification.
• Anticipate solution to problem.
• Divert attention from solution (but still show it).
• Show how character reacts to events or causes events.
• Show event from new point of view.
• Foreshadow some climactic event.
• Flashback or tell some mysterious past event that has consequences now.
• Reveal something the protagonist has kept hidden.
• Reveal something crucial to protagonist and/or reader.
• Advance or hinder protagonist’s “quest”.

Now, go read the article. It’s a good one:
www.sff.net/people/alicia/artmid.htm

Go on, I’ll wait till you get back.

Ally