This is the sixth installment in the “HOW I WRITE” series I’m participating in every Wednesday with several writers, where we all discuss how we approach writing a book. Every writer has a different process and this project gives us a chance to share and compare ours. Click on the “How I Write” image to find a list of the participating writers and links to their blogs.
Last week we talked about starting The First Draft. This week’s topic is Motivation: Getting Through the Middle Pages.
Perhaps I’m unique in possessing this sentiment – but I actually enjoy writing the middle pages more than any other part of a book. There’s too much stress involved in making sure you’ve opened in the right point in the story and that your “hook” is a good one, and in trying to ensure that you’ve delivered a satisfying ending that appropriately wraps up the tension you’d been building and the climax you’d been leading up to for chapters and chapters. The heart of the story is actually in the middle of the book, and I actually find that I am more motivated to write that part than either the beginning or the end.
The real challenge for me, I believe, isn’t a lack of motivation to write the middle pages. It’s either a) the lack of certainty of what exactly should happen in the middle pages, or b) losing confidence in the story right around the middle. I find that doing a storyboard or outline helps me with potential issue “a”, but potential issue “b” is a more complicated one. Halfway through the first draft of a story I sometimes hit this point where I worry that it’s crap. The writing, the characters, the idea itself – everything. I usually get past this phase of self-doubt by getting feedback from my critique partner or having someone who I know will honestly tell me if the story sucks and if so why (like my husband or a frank friend). Anybody other than me showing a genuine interest in the story is usually the confidence boost I need to keep going.
If I’m still stuck after that, then it’s usually a sign that I either genuinely need a break from that story, or I just need to apply more discipline to get my booty in my chair and my fingers on the keyboard.
Check out these participating blogs to see how other writers find the motivation to make it through the middle pages of a draft. See ya for the next topic: Revision – How to Begin.
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I’m so glad I’m not alone in that crisis of confidence in the middle. A couple of weeks ago I was ready to through my entire WIP in the trash. It helps me to know that other writers go through it, too.
You are most definitely not alone.
I hadn’t thought about the trial off getting the beginning and ending right. I just love writing them … but you’re right it does take pressure off the middle. I’ll keep that in mind with this next ‘middle’.
Thanks!
My pleasure!
Crisis of confidence is my middle name! I always love your perspective on this. And you are right about the middle. I don’t really stress it as much as I worry am I boring the heck out of people!
Is “Crisis of Confidence” the official industry term for it? If not, it ought to be. This is my biggest writing hurdle to overcome, to be honest. But I’m working on it.
In my experience, most every writer has a crisis of confidence in the middle of a book. As I wrote in my blog, two successful writers I know go thru it with every book–and they’ve both published scores of novels. It’s become a joke between them. And the only cure is to ignore your feelings and keep writing; fortunately the quality of your work depends on your craft, not how you feel about the story.
That makes me feel better, Gail. It just doesn’t seem that most published writers admit this out loud much – but maybe I just haven’t been looking closely enough.
Ignoring my feelings and trusting in my craft is sound advice. Now, for putting it into practice …
I think having a term like “crisis of confidence” helps put it in perspective. I’m struggling with getting a new wip started at the moment, and I’m not sure how to even get to the middle.
Just write. That’s the mantra. Just write. Thanks Tatiana!
What a great mantra that is, too.
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