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A: Saggy middles are one of those hard to avoid things in life. But in our stories? It's the worst! So you might be surprised at my answer. Saggy middles are a symptom of the writer getting off track. To simplify, we have act 1 that sets up the problem, right? We end in Act 3 with the resolution. So we need to get our character from point A to B. Simple? Yeah right. But the point is, you have to keep in mind the whole time whether what you are writing is indeed moving the story forward. Every word on the page should move the story and/or character forward. If it doesn't, as interesting as it may be, it doesn't belong there.
Now I'm not saying that if you do it right, the saggy middle doesn't exist. Perish the thought! We all have to fight it. That's what revision is for (I think that's becoming my mantra). Seriously though, as you do a pass, ask yourself the following three questions about each page:
- Does this move the plot forward?
- Does this help build my character arc?
- Is there tension?
Because there should be tension on every page. If it isn't there, add it. It doesn't have to be the world at stake. Just make sure there's something in the way. That will help force numbers 1 and 2 into action. Make sense?
How do you avoid saggy middles?
Great picture!
ReplyDeleteSaggy middles are so hard! I know I struggle with them every book. And jot just saggy middle but middles that fit right with the story. Arg.
I'm getting better at avoiding the saggy middles when I outline. This is also the benefits of beta readers. Good ones will tell you when your scene is boring and pointless. Then you know how to tone the story.
ReplyDeleteToo bad our sagging tummies aren't as quick to deal with as highlight and delete. :P
I think like with avoid a body saggy middle - make every bite count, we can use the same idea for writing - make every word count. As you said, Laura, every word needs to contribute to tension and pushing the story and characters forward.
ReplyDeleteAnd I totally agree with Stina's last statement! :-)
Great advice, Lisa! That darn saggy middle. Like Stina, I'm trying to avoid saggy middles by preparing better outlines using my trusty index cards. Then when I display the cards, I see where I'm lacking. At least it's a good place to start. And then I need to rely on brilliant beta readers. Ahem...no pressure.
ReplyDeleteWe interrupt this comment for a James Scott Bell commercial...In his book "Plot & Structure" he offers great advice for avoiding the saggy middle. A new twist, a new character, stuff like that.
Those questions are great, Lisa. I usually need help with my saggy middles from critique partners. They can see so much more easily than I where things go awry. Then, armed with their ideas and your questions, my saggy middle has hope.
ReplyDeleteHooray for critique partners! They're great for pointing out whether your story needs to do a few more crunches.
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome advice as usual, Lisa! I think strong plotting and always thinking about pace and tension makes sure the middle is trim. But what about the writer's middle? It's a vicious cycle, needing inspiration, getting it from chocolate, then feeling bad about eating chocolate so you eat some more...LOL
ReplyDeleteI don't know--lol! :D But I think it's a lot to do with what you're saying here. Make sure every scene is getting us to the action and keep the tension high. And revise. :D Great post, LG~
ReplyDeleteArrg! MIddle gone to beer. Not pretty in the least. One thing I've found in my middles are a few self-indulgent passages where I go into flashback or description that do absolutely nothing to move my story forward. I cut them out, put them into a file called "FAT." I often refer to this file to keep myself on the right path while I'm writing.
ReplyDeleteGlad to read your post as always, Lisa!
Good post,
ReplyDeletestructure always helps me in the middle. The story has to keep moving forward, so I make sure there is plenty of goal, motivation and conflict and that the character is getting closer to the end goal. Perhaps a couple of small victories along the way as the end goal seems so far away.
Great tips, Lisa (as always)!! It's definitely a bit difficult to avoid the saggy middle but you've listed a sure-fire way to ensure we all avoid it in the future!
ReplyDeleteNow, can you tell me how to do that with the 'physical' middle? LOL j/k! ;)
Seriously, Lisa. You didn't actually have to use a picture of me in this post. Here, here, that critique partners help poke fingers in that droopy belly. Thankfully I've learned to torture my characters from beginning to end which helps suck in that saggy middle.
ReplyDeleteI like CLee's idea of sag as self-indulgence. I know there are scenes that I WANT to write, but then later cut, just because they were fun for me, but not so much the reader. Plotting structure ahead of time reduces a lot of that (for me).
ReplyDeleteGreat tips! I'd add that making sure the stakes are still high in the middle is important.
ReplyDeleteOkay, I can't get that picture out of my head. :(
ReplyDeleteI read an article once about how Twilight was a great example of tension on every page, and I thought, NO WAY! But I re-read the first few chapters, and it's true!!! (it's her secret!! that and shiny vampires!!)
Makes total sense! And this method is very similar to what I use to avoid saggy middles. Making sure anything and everything moves the plot or characters forward is the best way to go. Excellent post!
ReplyDeleteGreat tips! I've rewritten my current WIP about three times, and I've pretty much carved away the middle-saggage. (Can that be considered a word? Discuss.) But next time around, since I'm going to be plotting much more anyway to avoid all the rewrites, I'm hoping to avoid most of the sagging in the same way.
ReplyDeleteTension on every page has become my mantra. : ) Middles are tough, but as others have already commented, I have found that outlining has helped me to replace the sag with more tension and tighter plotting.
ReplyDeleteRevise, revise, revise, just like you said. Even when I plan ahead, I have a lot of scenes throughout my middle that need to be revised or cut, or even new scenes to add. It helps me to re-read things about story structure, so I can make sure I'm keeping on track.
ReplyDeleteThe picture made me laugh. You're right, that tension and the overall goal have to be everywhere in the book.
ReplyDeleteIt reminds me a little of what my very thorough dentist says to me. "Did you brush well in the lower back area? Make sure to get the gums too. and the back of the front teeth-"
"So, basically, brush and floss everywhere."
"yes."
OMZ, that pic is hilarious. I think that's my Papa. I avoid a saggy middle (hopefully) by thinking about the complications that can keep the MC from getting from Act I to Act III. But they have to be organic. Complications = tension = excitement.
ReplyDeleteI studied screenwriting in college and learned about the 3-act method of writing and using 3 major plot points, just like they do in the movies. I write my novels using that same system. Helps build the stakes and up the ante in the middle of the book rather than slowing things down.
ReplyDeleteI've learned the hard way that the middle has to have lots of action like the beginning and end. And maybe reveal something major and then have the story go on from there. I just read The Princess Curse and Merrie Haskell did a great job having no sagging middle doing that.
ReplyDelete