The start and the finish of a novel are always the easiest to write. I find the middle section of every book I'm working on to be the most troubling.
Here are some reasons why.
First off, the inspiration wears off. You've introduced the characters, you've started the story rolling, you've entered this strange and new world. But soon, you have to figure out where the story is going. The characters are making decisions (and sometimes they seem to have a mind of their own). Even if you know the ending, you still have to figure out how to get there. You might have several backstories and several plotlines and several themes going and somehow you have to tie them all together and the middle section is where you need to do it.
The middle section can be a make or break section. Because some writers stop there and never finish the story.
The middle section is where it becomes WORK. When you're first starting a story, you're full of ideas and you can't wait to get at the story. But then it drags on. You might realize you've written yourself into a corner. Sometimes you need to backtrack. Sometimes you need to start over. Sometimes you have no idea how to reach the finish line.
If you can get through the middle section and near that end, then you know you're going to make it. If you're running a marathon, you don't stop ten yards from the finish line. But you might stop midway through when your body is aching and your mind is telling you to quit.
Get through the middle even if you know some things aren't working out. You can always rewrite. Chances are, even if you feel great about your middle section, you're going to probably have to rewrite. But that's okay. You need to finish the work. The tweaking and the editing can and will come later.
Labels: tips, writing