Believe it or not, you can’t just jump from the beginning to the middle. You have to make a smooth transition. That transition has to both advance the plot while also guiding the characters down a non-returnable path. Confused? Don’t be. Read more here – The Middle, but first …
Once you make your transition, it’s time to write the story. There are a lot of things to remember to include, but there are also some things to avoid:
– Unrealistic tension
– Non-stop action
– The breakfast menu
Since the majority of your story is The Middle, it’s worth your time to study, study, study the craft of writing fiction. Some of my favorite and highly recommended guides:
Plot & Structure by James Scott Bell
You pretty much can’t go wrong with Bell. He’s written multiple books on writing, but this was the first one I read. It’s a classic and it’s worth it.
Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass
Probably the most recommended writing guide, I’m sad to admit that I haven’t gotten to this book yet. It’s on my reading list for September. I can’t wait to spend hours reading and highlighting and memorizing the pages. I hope you take the time to open it up.
The Art & Craft of Writing Christian Fiction by Jeff Gerke
If you plan on writing for the Christian market, you need this book. Not only does Gerke present practical, easy-to-understand writing techniques, he also shows you how to handle those delicate issues – like sex and swearing – that don’t cross over from from mainstream market.
No more excuses – go write your middle.
Leave A Comment