Alida, Kathryn, and Robert discuss the soggy middle problem and what to do about it. Keep your action interesting and stakes and tension rising throughout the entire story.
Show Notes:
What is a soggy middle? And what kind of writers tend to have problems with it? Are you giving your middle the attention and care it deserves? And what makes a soggy middle after all? After some much needed middle shaming we all agree – do not tolerate a soggy middle!
What we talked about:
What is the soggy middle problem? (0:40)
Is this a pantsing vs plotting problem? (3:30)
How supporting characters and subplots help solve the soggy middle. (7:00)
Are you giving your middle the attention it needs? (13:25)
How accepting the idea that you can have a soggy middle can be insulting to your reader. (17:58)
How can you make scenes that are boring, but necessary, exciting in the overall scope of the book? (20:00)
What sort of things can create a soggy middle? (21:00)
Things we mentioned:
Doomspell by Cliff McNish
Write Your Novel From the Middle by James Scott Bell
Have thoughts, questions, other examples? Join the conversation at the Story Works Writers Facebook group.