Louise Marley on Novel Middles

[deborahjross]

I'm definitely in the same club as Louise Marley, who writes about that stage in the middle of a novel when nothing works and all the bright optimism of the beginning looks like the worst sort of self-delusion. I think this is when we most need -- not false encouragement or cheer-leading, but understanding that this is a natural and widespread rite of passage. We may have no idea how we are going to get through this, only a reminder of the many others who have come this way on their own literary journeys and have done the necessary work, discovered what the story needed, and prevailed.

The writer may need her chops more in the middle of a novel than in any other part. If the story seems to languish, the stakes aren't high enough. Or the pressure on the characters isn't intense enough. The point of view may be wrong, or there may be too many POVs, thus diluting the emotional impact. There can be all sorts of things missing, either slowing down the pace or abbreviating the plot, which need to be assessed.

The rest is here: How I Write a Novel: Part Six | Louise Marley | Blog Post | Red Room

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/la_marquise_de_/]

That's just the article I needed today: thank you.

[deborahjross.livejournal.com]

I love it when a friend posts exactly what I need to read or hear. You don't suppose there's a plan to all this?

[http://users.livejournal.com/la_marquise_de_/]

It would be good to think so!

[ramblin-phyl.livejournal.com]

I call it the muddle in the middle blues. Happens every book. Sometimes I just have to slog through one sentence at a time until I figure out what's wrong. Other times I have to brain storm with a friend and then go back to the beginning to fill in essential missing parts before I can move ahead at a slightly off kilter angle from the original straight forward plot line.

Happens every book no matter how heavily I plan ahead.

[deborahjross.livejournal.com]

Once we accept, "This is the way it happens," then we can let go of thinking (a) it's a problem; (b) the problem is us. It's just the way we write.