Stuck In The Middle

Now that we are just a smidgen by the middle of summer, or maybe a little more than a smidgen but we'll pretend we aren't. Writers can do that with ease. But what some seem stuck on from the tweets going out or that articles asking for advice is trying to get from the middle to the end of their current work in progress.

No writer's block at play. Stuck is the word of the day when it comes to the middle. Not sure a day needs a word, but today we will give it stuck. Not that it cares. Days don't have feelings so I think we are safe. See? I just proved the opposite too. Sometimes there is too much to say in the middle and the old making a long story short needs to come into play. Now on with it we go.

Can't get by the middle? Still stuck? Maybe you aren't.

You may have a plan. Plans change.

You may think there is more story. Thoughts change.

You may need more story. (For word count to submit or the like) Needs change.

Maybe this isn't the story to submit. Maybe this story isn't at the middle. Maybe you are stuck because you are more than a smidgen by the middle. Maybe you are actually near the end.

Sometimes you have to change your train of thought and then you become unstuck. A better word of the day. Short stories could be long stories and long stories could turn out to be short stories. Instead of dictating to your story, your story may be dictating to you.

This is it. This is all you get. Take it or leave it.

Wow. Your story sounds harsher than the day and its word. But it may be true.

But what if it is not?

Determination could be at hand. You could make it drag by adding more words and your determination makes it the middle. That kind of unstuck isn't always the best. Thinking about the why can factor out that determination and also allow you to realize you may be near the end.

Of course there are times when one is just stuck. What to do?

Take a break. Work on another story. Watch or read something else to get the brain going in other directions. Take a walk or exercise in some other way. Play with the kids. Just do something that gets your mind off of it and onto something less stressful. This too can allow you to see if you are well by the smidgen or right in the middle. Clarity from stepping away.

Do you get stuck in the middle? Have you found that you weren't actually at the middle and near the end? Maybe closer to the start than the middle? Can you ramble like me? Do you have a word of the day?

Hopefully stuck isn't it and some unstuck came due as you read through.

10 Steps to Making a Story

Only ten steps? Well, if you start with the actual writing, we can probably break it into ten major ones. Let's try.

Think of these as the key moments in your story.

1. With the HOOK, your job is to grab your readers and make them read beyond that first paragraph. This hook has to be fresh and memorable. In fact it should be able take an old topic or theme and put a unique twist to it. It should plant this question your readers' minds: “What happens next?” Put that hook in your first chapter, if possible on the first page, and best of all in the first line.

E.B. White knew all about great hooks: "Where's Pa going with that axe?"

2. The INCITING EVENT is where your story kicks off. It's where the readers see the conflict. And it creates a question that as a writer you must answer at the CLIMAX of your story. There are a lot of places for this event to occur: before the story opens, at the beginning, or at least in the first quarter of the book.

In The Hunger Games Katniss, an independent girl with skills and a drive to protect others, sees her sister drawn to be Tribute in the Hunger Games.

3. The KEY EVENT puts your protagonist smack in into that plot. Let's say your inciting event was a murder. Well, that murder doesn't affect your character until you a) put him charge of the investigation b) have him enter the room and leave his fingerprints c) make him the prime suspect.

The Key Event always follows the Inciting Event--the sooner the better.

4. PLOT POINT #1

The First Plot Point comes at the end of the "First Act." It signals the beginning of "Act Two."  Here's where your character's usual world changes. You've already set up what's normal for this character, you've shown what his world looks like (setting), you've introduced your important supporting characters, and you've made the stakes clear and hopefully high. At the first plot point your character's world has shifted, maybe it has turned upside down, and now he has to deal with a whole new set of rules and issues. 

A husband is arrested for the murder of his wealthy wife and must prove his innocence.

You put this first plot point about 25% into your book. Think of this as your first quarter and you have three quarters to go.

5. Enter ACT TWO, PART ONE

Reaction. Reaction. And more reaction. That's what your character is busy with during this part of your story. Remember his world is upside down and he's in deep trouble, struggling to get out of it. Think about Dr. Richard Kimble in that now ancient TV series, The Fugitive. He was in act two, part one for a long time.

Think of this part of your book as leading up to half time. It should fall between 25% to 50% of your story.

6. MIDPOINT

Get ready for another major change here. Your character has struggled to survive in a futuristic survival game, or chased down clues to prove he's innocent of the murder. Now this character is a lot more savvy and ready to take the ball and run with it. 

Katniss uses her cunning to outsmart those who try to manipulate the games.
Dr. Kimble (after many years) now starts using better strategies for closing in on the "one-armed man."

I guess it's pretty obvious that you plunk the midpoint in the middle. This is the end of act two, part one and the beginning of act two, part two. 

7. ACT TWO, PART TWO
Here's where your character stops being victim and turns proactive. He’s got some plans for taking charge of the situation and fixing whatever mess you've put him into.

Here's where you're heading into the 75% part of the story.

8. ACT THREE & PLOT POINT THREE

This is the last major plot point. Here's where things are going change again, and not for the better. Your character is at the crux of his situation. He has to come to terms with who he is and what's been keeping him from succeeding in whatever quest you've set out. 

This comes at the beginning of act three, again that 75% part of the book. There's a lot happening here because you're setting up for...

9. THE CLIMAX

Here's where all those threads (main and complicating side ones) are tied up. Any conflict is resolved. Katniss saves not only herself, but her village and sets off the revolution. Dr. Richard Kimball snags the real killer.

You've come to the 90% mark in your story. You're heading into the highest peak and the moment when the book ends. 

10. THE RESOLUTION

This is an important part of the story. It gives your readers a chance to breathe and relax. They've followed the character through his trials, his failures, his self-doubts, and now they have an opportunity to see him as the changed person. Maybe they'll even glimpse a bright future. 

I guess I don't have to say this is The End.

The Insecure Writer's Support Group - August Edition

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting! Be sure to link to this page and display the badge in your post. And please be sure your avatar links back to your blog! Otherwise, when you leave a comment, people can't find you to comment back.

The awesome co-hosts for the August 5 posting of the IWSG are Susan Baury Rouchard, Nancy Gideon, Jennifer Lane, Jennifer Hawes, Chemist Ken, and Chrys Fey!

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.

Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. 

Remember, the question is optional!

August 5 question - Quote: "Although I have written a short story collection, the form found me and not the other way around. Don't write short stories, novels or poems. Just write your truth and your stories will mold into the shapes they need to be."
Have you ever written a piece that became a form, or even a genre, you hadn't planned on writing in? Or do you choose a form/genre in advance?

You set aside some precious time to write. 

You prepare a cup of delicious coffee, open your laptop and get ready to write... but you're not sure what.

 Sometimes, the first drafting should be a wild and wonderful ride, full of discovery, dreams and promises. 

Write with abandon. Go with your gut. They say that your gut never lies. Let your truth pour onto the page. 

But how do you write your truth? 

Think about this: what do you believe? What universal struggle have you witnessed or experienced? Dig deep and find your gut response concerning your experiences.

Remember that your writing matters if it's written from a place of wanting to connect. 

Once you get that right, then who knows what gems are just waiting to be shaped into an interesting blog post, a poem, a memoir, novella or a novel series!

There's still time to enter the anthology contest.

Guidelines and rules:

Word count: 4500-6000

Genre: Science Fiction

Theme: Dark Matter

Submissions accepted: May 6 - September 2, 2020

How to enter: Send your polished, formatted (double-spaced, no footers or headers), previously unpublished story to admin @ insecurewriterssupportgroup.com before the deadline passes. Please include your full contact details, your social links, and if you are part of the Blogging, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter IWSG group.

In trying to get books to move and sell and gain some momentum, Voyagers is discounted on Amazon from $4.99 to 2.99 for the eBook from tomorrow through this Friday.

https://www.amazon.com/Voyagers-Third-Ghost-Yvonne-Ventresca-ebook/dp/B083C4WPR5/