1/3 is where your plot thickens. If you planned a car crash, ask what if it was a meteor strike or ?? now you have jerked hard on the hook. Rush through a few more chapters then go back and make the fixes and adjustments. You are now ready to hit the 3/4 wall.
I don't comment often on videos, but this one popped up just when I needed it. I'm on my second book. I didn't know that the 1/3 problem was a known issue, yet I'm drowning in it now. I was almost at the point of junking the entire novel. Thanks for the insight and actionable tips.
I absolutely adore the "man with a gun" tip and the "just one thing" tip. They're both such interesting ways to shake up what I'm doing, I'm actually really excited to try them out next time I get stuck! Thank you Michael 🥰
Thanks Michael. It was a relief to hear this isn't just me. Unfortunately, my 'pause' has lasted several months so I'm gonna try to get back on track. Best wishes, Richard
My theory is that almost all of the popular plot structures help writers to consider mainly their beginnings and endings, but they don’t seem to give any good guidance on how to build the middle.
Wish I had this knowledge like 7 years ago. Started as a pantser. Still pantsing. I would always get stuck around chapter 21. (My chapters were between 600-1000 words) and I eventually believed that I could not write a book past chapter 21. It was the magic chapter of death to me. But... I couldn't stop writing. Even though I never finished anything. 🤣 One day, I got frustrated and tried to outline the next possible scenes. It died. Every single time I outlined what could happen, my brain just writes the exact opposite. Bought the pocket guide to pantsing today. Can't wait to get started 😁😁
When I hit that spot I change colors and type my inner monologue asking why can’t I write. Enough words kicks in then I realize what the issue is and get back to writing WIP. I change the color back to normal. When I go back in editing I’ll see the color change and know to edit that out.
37 novels is incredible, I have so many questions. Sir, can you do a video on how you managed to get 37 novels? How did that take? When was your first novel? That is an incredible number of books, do you have a system for writing the novel? A template that you work with?
I definitely agree with the breaks. I'll take one for two or three days. BUT... during that time whenever a creative thought related to my current work in progress occurs, I write notes on my phone and send them to my printer
A tip I've seen is that when you think you've hit the 1/3 mark, just convince yourself it's actually the halfway point. Mentally, you know the direction you want the conclusion to go, don't stretch something that doesn't want to stretch. Go back and build out the in-between scenes you thought were irrelevant and build your middle.. in the middle
