Don’t Lose Steam Mid-Novel! Conquer the Saggy Middle with These 5 Tips

Hitting a wall midway through your novel? You’re not alone. The “saggy middle” strikes even experienced authors, resulting in unfinished manuscripts gathering dust. But with the right techniques, you can power through this challenging section and write an engaging story from start to finish. 

First, what exactly causes the sagging middle? Typically it’s a lack of direction, momentum, and high stakes after the exciting opening. Without a strong plot to propel readers forward, the narrative loses focus. Characters meander aimlessly with no urgency. Getting out of this muddy middle requires paying close attention to pacing and tension.

Tip #1: Ramp up the conflict

At the midpoint, take stock of your characters’ goals and the obstacles in their way. Are the stakes high enough? Raise them by introducing a new conflict or complication. Attack your protagonist’s greatest vulnerability to up the tension. Don’t let them get comfortable!

Tip #2: Shorten scenes

Long scenes drag down momentum. Tighten up dialogue and descriptions in the middle to keep things snappy. If a scene isn’t directly advancing the plot, rigorously question if it’s needed. Short, punchy scenes move the story along. 

Tip #3: Make time count

Assess if you’re covering too much time in Part 2. Consider using a shorter timeline to heighten urgency. Maybe take the action over a week instead of a month. The characters’ deadline will loom larger to them and the reader.

Tip #4 Get moving

Stationary characters equal a stationary story. Get your protagonist on a literal journey somewhere new. Introduce fresh scenery and characters to reengage the reader. Movement and change stimulates the storytelling.

Tip #5: Start weaving in endgame elements

Drop hints about the climax early in Part 2. Subtly foreshadow how the major story questions will be resolved. Readers will feel that momentum building when you set up the finale this early.

With these actionable tips, you can pump up that sagging middle into the vibrant heart of your book. Follow the old writing adage to make life hell for your characters in Part 2. Don’t give them or your reader a chance to get bored! The more you raise questions, stakes, and tensions here, the more invested your audience will be.

It also helps to study how your favorite books masterfully handle the middles. What plotting or pacing tricks did the author employ? Take notes on how they hold attention in that tricky section you’re tackling now.

Above all, be flexible and open to overhauling scenes when they feel draggy. Keep asking the key questions – What does my protagonist urgently desire now? What’s standing in their way? Am I showing their struggle? Your story direction may end up shifting. That’s normal! Let the narrative guide itself toward the most interesting path.  Stay determined and know that the slog of the middle is just part of the journey. With the right amount of conflict and tension, you’ll keep readers hooked through that saggy section. Trust that embarking on the final act will feel that much sweeter once you power through a killer midpoint. Your patience and persistence will be rewarded when you type those magical words: The End.