Ciao, SEers! Back in 2018, I gave a brief overview of story middles, touching on scenes and sequels and covering the falling and rising actions before the end of the novel. Today, we’re going to get a little more in depth and talk about what makes those middles so messy and what makes those boxes so mysterious.
The middle of your novel is where fifty percent of the activity takes place. It’s bound to get messy in there, especially if you don’t have a plan or if you deviate from it. Here are some things you need to make sure you take care of that will make your character’s life messy but, if you’re careful, will keep your novel tight and tidy:
- Stakes: external (physical), internal (emotional), and philosophical (beliefs and conflicts of values).
Each of these need to continue to escalate. - Make characters (especially the protagonists) suffer.
This goes hand-in-hand with the stakes. As the situation gets more dire, your heroes should feel more angst. - Open boxes as you close others.
Every puzzle solved must present another. Every goal attained must come at a cost. Make it so the hero can’t turn back, propelling the story forward. - Never make it so there’s only one option. That’s easy.
Give your hero two choices—especially two conflicting, impossible-to-make choices—and he can’t have both.
As for your mystery boxes, here are a few questions to deny your readers immediate answers to:
- What does character want?
- What will it cost to get it?
- How will they react to the cost?
- How do their reactions confirm their beliefs?
- Who else will be impacted?
- How will they be impacted?
- How will they react?
- How will their reactions impact the rest of the party?
Of course there’s always the W’s (who, what, where, when, why, and hoW) with respect to a crime. Those questions always need answers, so those mystery boxes should be open, too.
Personally, I have a love-hate relationship with mystery boxes. I love opening mystery boxes in my stories and throwing a few more open right when I let my characters and readers close one. But I hate it when authors do it to me. Just kidding. 🤣 I love it then, too. Because it’s so much fun trying to close them before the characters do.
What about you? How do you feel about messy middles and mystery boxes? Let’s talk about it.
And for those of you in the US, we all wish you a happy Thanksgiving tomorrow!
Story Empire 
Fantastic writing tips, Staci. These are items that some writers may not think about as they create. I’m bookmarking this one. Lots of good things to consider.
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I’m so glad you found it useful, Beem.
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Very helpful Staci.. as a reader I have found myself lost in the middle of quite a few books and in some cases remained lost until the last page. Often great beginnings but they lose steam and focus. These days most of my books are short story collections but I do have two novels in progress that I will pay more attention to.. hugsx
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I used to read every book I started to the end. Now, I realize my time is too valuable. If I get so lost in the middle that it seems hopeless, I’ll stop reading. I commend you for finishing those books. I wouldn’t have the patience. Wishing you all the best with your novels and short story collections. Thanks for dropping by, Sally.
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Thanks Staci…xx
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Reblogged this on Kim's Musings.
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Excellent post, Staci. I just finished a first draft and now’s the time when lists like this come in handy. I go through and make sure the messy middle boxes are checked. 🙂 Happy Writing!
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Wow, great instructions on how to write. It is quite inspiring.
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Thank you!
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Great post, Staci. I’ve got my protagonists traveling in the past and now on the Titanic. They know what’s going to happen and can’t do anything to disrupt the time continuum. They are feeling very uncomfortable especially as they meet more people on the ship. I hope I’m making them uncomfortable enough. It doesn’t look like anyway out of this mess either.
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Sounds like you have your middle well in hand. (And can I just say, “Oh, no! Your poor protagonists!”)
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Lucifer is holding them there so it looks like they will go down with the ship too. Ugh.
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Make sure they know two people fit on one door.
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I know exactly what you mean, Staci. As a writer, I love mystery boxes, the more the better. But as a reader, they drive me crazy, strangle-holding me while I flip page after page after page to find out what happens next.
Happy Thanksgiving to you all!
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Strange to both love and hate them at the same time, isn’t it? Thanks, Sue.
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Middles can definitely get messy. It’s where I try to make sure the story doesn’t slow down. I love all of your suggestions to avoid letting that happen. And I love the mystery boxes; especially when another one opens as soon as one closes. This is such a great post! Thank you for sharing your expertise, Staci!
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Thanks so much, Jan. I’m glad you found it useful.
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I hate messy middles, but you’re correct in that they are an important part of the story. I really need to do a better job at outlining, especially the middle of a book. I like the term mystery boxes. You know I love to throw breadcrumbs here and there to keep readers guessing.
Great post!
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Breadcrumbs are my favorite parts of the messy middles. Pantser/plantser/plotter, I’m glad you embrace them. 🙂 Thanks, Joan.
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Before I start writing, I have a plot point for every chapter in my book. So, in theory, I shouldn’t have a messy middle. But it never works out that way. Some things sag that I thought would have more punch. A character changes slightly while I’m writing him, and then he wouldn’t do what I thought he’d do. Ugh. But I’ve come to expect the messy parts, so I don’t panic as much, but they’re still more work than the beginning and the end. And maybe that’s good. It means the book’s grown in ways I didn’t predict. At least, that’s what I tell myself:)
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Writing is fluid. Those things happen. I consider them interesting surprises. (It’s all in how you frame it, Judi. 🙂 ) Thanks for sharing your process.
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I tend to plot out my stories, so I usually enjoy the middle. I love creating the trail of dots to connect later. Guess I’m the odd ball. Lol! Great post, Staci! 🙂
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I find that satisfying, too, Yvette. Maybe it’s easier for us outliners. (That’s not to say I don’t sometimes want to pull out my hair. But in general, I think having a plan helps.) Thanks for weighing in.
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All parts of writing a story are equal effort for me, Staci. I am a planner though and historical stories follow a pattern of the underlying history to a large extent. I’ve not heard the term mystery boxes before so I shall have to research it further. Thanks for this great article and Happy Thanksgiving for tomorrow.
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“Mystery boxes” is just a term for questions you pose and leave unanswered until later. They’re mysteries for the readers to solve. By the time you solve them, you should have posed other questions for them to answer. (If you haven’t, your action will have stalled.)
Thanks for sharing your process, Robbie.
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Ah, I though it was something like this from the context. I do this, but I’ve never thought about it much. Most of what I do in my books is a result of years and years of non-stop reading. Have a lovely Thanksgiving, Staci.
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All that reading is it’s own kind of education. Or you have a natural talent. Or both!
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I love/hate the middle too. It’s tough to write, but when it’s done well, it’s a great read. Even with a good outline, I experience difficulty in the middle.
Happy Turkey Day to you as well.
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There’s a reason they call it a “messy” middle, I suppose. Middles done well are great fun to read. Thanks, Michele. Wishing you all the best.
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I often get lost in the middle, Staci which results in rewrites. I try to make the best of it and use it as exploration and a time for my characters to surprise me. In the end, when I focus on my premise, I make it to the other side, but not without a lot of sweat. Great post! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
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Rewrites give me fits. The more I can do to make that process go smoothly, the better. But character surprises can be fun! Thanks for sharing your process, Jill.
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Ugh. The messy middle. How I dread that part. Maybe because I’m at that point in my current WIP, I’m struggling with some of those boxes. I have a lot open, and connecting dots between them is sorta/kinda/quasi eluding me right now. Especially because I’m in 100% pantsing mode right now which makes for a lot of mud and a lot of mess. I’ll work it out eventually. As an author can be frustrating toggling which mystery boxes to open/close and when, but as a reader I enjoy getting tangled up in than.
Great post, Staci!
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You know me. I swear by outlines. They help a lot with the messy middle part. But because I’ve read everything you’ve ever written, I can attest that pantsing works for you. I have every faith you’ll work it out.
Thanks, Mae.
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🙂
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Great tips, Staci. A useful post to bookmark for when we get stuck in the mud. Thanks for sharing 🙂
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Much appreciated, Harmony.
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Yeah, my struggles with middles are well documented. I know it’s always that second part of Act 2 for me. Your tips might make a big difference next time I reach that point.
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I hope they do, Craig. Thanks.
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Reblogged this on Jeanne Owens, author.
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Thanks for the reblog!
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You’re welcome 🙂
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Very thoughtful and helpful post, Staci. By identifying the questions, you’ve helped me see the Great Middle more clearly. That’s an achievement since I can get lost in the process. 😊
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I think we can all get lost in that messy middle part. I’m glad this post helps you see your way through it a little easier.
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Great post, Staci! It’s so important for the biggest chunk of the book to keep us on our toes and rooting for the protagonist. Your suggestions are really useful. Thanks! xx
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Thanks, Alex. I’m glad you found the tips helpful.
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I am up to my armpits in a very messy middle at the moment. Yesterday, after wrestling with several conflicting chapters, I think I saw a little light at the end of the tunnel! No one ever said that writing was easy, but it can be fun…
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I love it when I finally see that glimmer of light. Middles can be (should be?) dark. I’m glad you turned the corner in your WIP. You’re right; writing might not be easy, but it can be a blast.
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Definitely, Staci…
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The middle is tough for me. I do like the suggestions and mystery box to get through that part. Thanks Staci, great post 🙂
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Middles can be tough for a lot of people. You’re not alone. (Not that knowing it makes you feel any better when you’re mired in the messy parts.) Thanks, Denise.
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