My middle is sagging.
For all you non-writerly types, I am not referring to my recent affinity for (nor the obvious repercussions of) Panera Bread breakfasts.
No, instead (or, in addition) it's the middle of my book that is sagging. (Sadly, it's not even quite the middle. It's chapter four.) I've written subsequent chapters already, because chapter four is a cruel and an unusual beast of a chapter. Nothing very interesting is happening to my main character, Laurel, during her freshman year while she's away at college. She's acting miserably depressed and spending the majority of her time mooning over a boy who still lives in her hometown.
I'm just so ready to get through this section -- things pick up when Laurel goes home and her first year of college is behind her.
But, I'm frustrated. If I'm picking my way through this part of the story -- bored to tears while writing it -- then how will my readers feel when they are reading it?
Somethings gotta give.
Something interesting needs to happen in this chapter.
It needs to move along the plot.
There needs to be more conflict, or some epic moment that sparks a change in Laurel, or at least causes her to want to change.
(This is a cry for helpspice.)
For all you non-writerly types, I am not referring to my recent affinity for (nor the obvious repercussions of) Panera Bread breakfasts.
No, instead (or, in addition) it's the middle of my book that is sagging. (Sadly, it's not even quite the middle. It's chapter four.) I've written subsequent chapters already, because chapter four is a cruel and an unusual beast of a chapter. Nothing very interesting is happening to my main character, Laurel, during her freshman year while she's away at college. She's acting miserably depressed and spending the majority of her time mooning over a boy who still lives in her hometown.
I'm just so ready to get through this section -- things pick up when Laurel goes home and her first year of college is behind her.
But, I'm frustrated. If I'm picking my way through this part of the story -- bored to tears while writing it -- then how will my readers feel when they are reading it?
Somethings gotta give.
Something interesting needs to happen in this chapter.
It needs to move along the plot.
There needs to be more conflict, or some epic moment that sparks a change in Laurel, or at least causes her to want to change.
(This is a cry for helpspice.)
Comments
summarize that in a paragraph or two at the beginning of the chapter where
everything goes to crap? Like: "Freshman year sucked--mooning over whatsisname back home. I swear, this year will be better. It has to be."
See? Fix for tense and narrator POV, and you're done. You're welcome. :)
I am reading Anne Lamont's Bird by Bird right now and will be hitting the Plot chapter this evening. She is amazing.
Good luck and I'll come back after I've read more!
ICE CREAM
...trust me it makes everything go away!!
Hope that helps. Hang in there. :hugs: