Every time I sit down to start a new book, the same thing happens. I start off with an intense and burning desire to tell my new story. Then, at about page 40 or 50, I promptly crash and burn. When I look back, I see that in the first chapters I've established my protagonist, antagonist, setting and plot. All of my basic elements are there, but now I have to DO SOMETHING with all of it. This is what is termed the sagging middle. Ironically, this has happened to me with every book I've written. And while past experience should teach me that with a little faith and patience, this too shall pass, I still always panic...or find interesting ways to procrastinate. This time around, as I work on my new middle grade, I've chosen to tackle my sagging middle by joining a gym and taking Pilates. Fitting, don't you think? But while one sagging middle is being attended to, it's my unsightly plot that is suffering.
Recently, my Triangle-Twin, Kimberly Ann Miller, came to speak to my creative writing class. She gushed over Karen Wiesner's book, First Draft in 30 Days. I must admit that my first inclination is to poo-poo a DIY model for novel writing. I am after all an arteeest :) and I shouldn't have to resort to such measures, right? Also, I tend to resist outlining a book before I begin. I know this works for many writers, Kim being one of them, but it hasn't worked for me. The one time I did go this route, I was very proud of my outline but had no desire to write the book. Why should I write it? I already knew what was going to happen!
But I've decided to give Karen Weisner's book a whirl. It's full of exercises that I'm hoping will stimulate my imagination. I'll let you know how it goes.
How about you? How do you deal with sagging middles? Or are you one of those people who were just born with a six-pack plot :)
http://www.amazon.com/First-Draft-Days-Karen-Wiesner/dp/1582972966/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1363954053&sr=1-1&keywords=karen+weisner
My middles can sag :) The most helpful tip I've heard is to simply ask yourself what completely unexpected happening can throw your character(s) for a huge loop. And pile it on.
ReplyDeleteI've heard the same advice, but it's good to be reminded. Thanks!
DeleteOh, Toni, I too was like you until Kimberly mentioned the very same book to me. I found that my problem with outlining was that I didn't know how to do it properly. I would get to the middle and have no idea where I was going, the setup was there, but the execution was lacking. Weisner's book definitely helped with that, and I have to say I no longer get stuck in the middle. Also, I feel tons better about my first draft. But only use what works for you. I don't use everything she mentions in the book. Some works, some doesn't.
ReplyDeleteAs for your feelings of why should you write the book when you know what's going to happen. Can't the same be said for editing? Think of it this way, the outline is just a really early draft (very rough draft) that you will ultimately be editing while you write a more substantial first draft.
Good luck!! ;-)
You're right, Heather. I guess I needlessly tell myself that since I have an outline, I need to stick to it - therefore, there's no room for discovery. But that's not true.Thanks for the reminding :)
DeleteThanks again for having me! It was a blast!
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure. The students really enjoyed you!
DeleteHi Toni,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading this. You might want to also look at my follow-up book to FIRST DRAFT IN 30 DAYS:
FROM FIRST DRAFT TO FINISHED NOVEL {A Writer's Guide to Cohesive Story Building}, which covers a lot of "sagging middle" issues. www.firstdraftin30days.com
I love working with an outline myself, but the writing and revision nevertheless always provide so many revelations that are new.
Good luck in your writing, Toni. : )
Karen Wiesner
karenwiesner.com; subscribe to Karen’s Quill for a chance to win my books every month!
Creating realistic, unforgettable characters one story at a time…
Writing the Fiction Series: The Guide for Novels and Novellas
Clumsy Girl’s Guide to Falling in Love, Friendship Heirlooms Series, Book 1, available now
Destiny & Home (inspirational romantic fiction), available now
Cowboy Fever Series, Books 1-5, available now
Books 1-7 and The Final Chapter, Woodcutter’s Grim Series, available now
Angelfire Trilogy, Family Heirlooms, Incognito, Kaleidoscope, Wounded Warriors, Denim Blues Mysteries, Gypsy Road, and Falcon’s Bend series’, available now
Tales from the Treasure Trove, Volumes I-VII, available now
What is Regina Andrews (Dame Ametrine) up to? Find out at JewelsoftheQuill.com. Monthly book giveaways!
Hi Karen,
DeleteThanks for weighing in on the discussion. So nice to have you on our blog :)
Your books are great and, after I did the exercises (most of them, because like Heather, I picked and chose what felt right to me), I learned a lot about my characters, their backstory and motives.
Heather wrote: <>
ReplyDeleteI had to comment on this, too, Heather. You're brilliant! Every author has to decide what works for her and what doesn't. My whole system is made up of different parts of writing advice that worked for me (I discarded what didn't). So always use what you can and forget the rest. : )
Karen
karenwiesner.com; subscribe to Karen’s Quill for a chance to win my books every month!
Creating realistic, unforgettable characters one story at a time…
Writing the Fiction Series: The Guide for Novels and Novellas
Clumsy Girl’s Guide to Falling in Love, Friendship Heirlooms Series, Book 1, available now
Destiny & Home (inspirational romantic fiction), available now
Cowboy Fever Series, Books 1-5, available now
Books 1-7 and The Final Chapter, Woodcutter’s Grim Series, available now
Angelfire Trilogy, Family Heirlooms, Incognito, Kaleidoscope, Wounded Warriors, Denim Blues Mysteries, Gypsy Road, and Falcon’s Bend series’, available now
Tales from the Treasure Trove, Volumes I-VII, available now
What is Regina Andrews (Dame Ametrine) up to? Find out at JewelsoftheQuill.com. Monthly book giveaways!