In
the novel writing workshop I’m teaching this quarter, we’ve been focusing on the
middle of novels. This is the place where a lot of writers get stuck. It’s
pretty straightforward why we write the opening and climax of a novel, but the
middle? How are we supposed to fill such a huge void?
I’m
using a terrific book as the text for this course: Beginnings, Middles & Ends by Nancy Kress, which is great for novelists
(and short story writers, too) at all levels. Even the most experienced writers
can get stuck in the middle of their novel-in-progress (Yes, says this author,
raising her hand), and reading or re-reading a practical craft book can often
work as a nice reminder and give a needed kick in the butt.
Kress
points out that there are several common reasons for getting stuck in the
middle. Here are some examples:
Fear
of Failing: This happens when a writer compares herself too much to other
writers. Novels become half-finished and the writer runs out of steam because
she’ll never be as good as _________ (fill in the blank). I remember being in a
short story writing class years ago when a fellow student announced to me that
she had just read Ethan Canin’s short story collection. “That’s it,” she said.
“I give up. I’ll never write as well as him.” I’ve found it’s much better to
try and be inspired by another writer
rather than intimidated. Otherwise this can become a recipe for paralysis.
Fear
of Being Successful: This also can result in the writer not finishing her novel
and stopping in the middle. The line of thinking goes something like, “What
happens if I finish this book? Then I’ll have to start another one and I don’t
have any good ideas. And then I won’t be a real writer anymore and I’ll lose my
identity. . .etc., etc.” So the writer keeps polishing and revising and can
safely say that she’s working on the book, but becomes bogged down with “The
Curse of the Novel that Wouldn’t End.”
Fear
of Not Knowing What Happens Next: Bingo! This is the one I’m grappling with
right now in my novel-in-progress. Kress calls this “literary fogginess,” which
is often the result of not having worked out the complete plot of the story
beforehand (or perhaps realizing the original plot won’t quite work) and hoping
to discover what happens from simply diving in and writing.
I’ve
taken Kress’ advice and started writing extensive notes as to what my
characters want and whether there are things I’ve overlooked. I’m also working
on other directions for them to take (even wild ones) that will hopefully excite
me so I can get back on track. I’m making progress and am convinced that I will
turn my stuck, sagging middle into something tight and taut, provided I do
enough sit-ups!
How
about you? What do you do if you’re stuck in the middle of your novel or story?
Any craft books you recommend that can help come to the rescue?
Wendy Nelson Tokunaga is the
author of the novels, "Midori by Moonlight" and "Love in Translation" (both
published by St. Martin's Press), and the e-book novels, "Falling Uphill" and "His Wife and Daughters," and e-book
short story, “The Girl in the Tapestry.” She's also the
author of the nonfiction e-book, "Marriage in Translation: Foreign Wife, Japanese
Husband." Her short story "Love Right on the
Yesterday" appears in the anthology "Tomo," published by Stone Bridge
Press, and her essay "Burning Up" is included in "Madonna and Me: Women Writers on the Queen of Pop." Wendy
holds an MFA in Creative Writing from University of San Francisco and teaches
for Stanford University's Online Writer's Studio Novel Certificate Program. She
also does private manuscript consulting for novels and memoirs. Follow her on
Twitter at @Wendy_Tokunaga, friend her on Facebook and visit her website at: www.WendyTokunaga.com
