Have you ever wondered why writing half a novel or short story can be the hardest part? Also, it may be at this point that you want to quit altogether! Well, you are not alone and this article will outline some of the reasons and solutions for this common occurrence.
The main thing to keep in mind is that the beginning of a novel or short story has an obvious function. It is about introducing the main characters, suggesting a plot, using the basic structure of where, what, why, who and when. The narrative and even the rhythm of your novel or short story are set at the beginning.
The conclusion or climax of a work of fiction is also obvious. That is to see a resolution to the obstacles or opposition that your protagonist faces.
However, the role of the medium is less clear. It can be seen as the section of your story where you see how your central character overcomes the difficulties or conflict that you created at the beginning. This can be difficult to achieve, especially if you are a new writer. Then it can lead to writer’s block because you don’t know how to advance your story to its conclusion.
Therefore, to avoid a “sunken” medium, it is essential to plan your novel in as much detail as possible. Pay attention to all your characters, both older and younger. This is essential, as the more you know about your characters, the more you can see potential areas of conflict and interaction. It is the conflict that will keep your story interesting and dynamic, thus avoiding writer’s block.
The middle is the point where the plot thickens by showing possible twists and turns and unexpected events that add more depth to your fiction.
If after careful planning and plotting, however, you still find that your novel or short story has fallen in the middle, you could try to present a major upheaval or reveal. This could be the unforeseen death of a main character or the betrayal of a character, for example.
This injection of conflict and drama will increase the tension in your fiction and keep the story flowing and engaging. However, if it does feature a twist, it must be credible and hinted at throughout the course of its story.
These simple steps should ensure that half of your novel or short story is not too difficult.
