How to Structure the Middle of a Novel | Writing Advice

Summary

In this video, Ellen discusses the crucial middle section of a novel, emphasizing its importance as 50-60% of the story. She breaks it down into two parts: the first half where the protagonist reacts to the events, often struggling and failing, and the second half where they become more proactive, goal-oriented, and capable. Using *The Hunger Games* as an example, she shows how the protagonist transitions from reacting to the situation to taking action. Ellen’s advice helps writers structure a more engaging middle, preventing it from feeling tedious or lackluster.

Takeaways

• 😀 The middle of your novel accounts for 50-60% of the story, not just a third as some may think.
• 😀 Conceptualizing the novel in quarters can be helpful, with the second and third quarters representing the middle of the story.
• 😀 The middle section of the story should not be filled with arbitrary conflicts or characters just 'simmering'—this leads to a boring narrative.
• 😀 Writers should think of the middle as two distinct parts: the second quarter and the third quarter.
• 😀 In the second quarter (20-25% to 50% of the story), the character primarily reacts to the events of the first quarter.
• 😀 Characters in the second quarter often struggle with their character flaws, mistakes, and poor reasoning as they try to cope with new circumstances.
• 😀 The midpoint is crucial as it introduces a new piece of information or realization that propels the character from a reactive to a proactive state.
• 😀 In the third quarter (50-75% to 80% of the story), characters become more capable and goal-oriented, actively pursuing their objectives.
• 😀 The character will experience successes in the third quarter, showing growth and overcoming flaws or personal beliefs that held them back.
• 😀 The example of *The Hunger Games* illustrates this progression: Katniss starts off reacting to the situation and by the second half, she takes proactive actions that are aggressive and goal-directed.

Q & A

What is the common misconception about the middle section of a novel?

Many writers mistakenly believe the middle section of a novel should be about a third of the story, but it actually takes up 50-60% of the novel.

How does the speaker recommend conceptualizing a novel's structure?

The speaker suggests thinking of a novel in quarters, with the second and third quarters representing the middle of the story, covering from about 20-25% to 75-80% of the plot.

What is the problem with treating the middle of a novel as one single block of time?

Treating the middle as a single block can lead to arbitrary or meaningless conflicts, resulting in a saggy or boring middle where nothing progresses, disengaging the reader.

What are the two parts of the middle section in a novel?

The middle section is divided into two parts: the first part (second quarter) where the character reacts to the events of the first quarter, and the second part (third quarter) where the character becomes more proactive and capable.

What character traits define the first part of the middle section?

In the first part of the middle, the character is largely reactive, struggling, making mistakes, and often succumbing to their flaws or beliefs. They may fail or make poor decisions while coping with the new situation.

How does the character evolve at the midpoint of the story?

At the midpoint, the character gains new information or has a realization that allows them to shift from a reactive state to a proactive one, becoming more capable and focused on achieving their goals.

What character traits define the second part of the middle section?

In the second part of the middle, the character becomes more proactive, capable, and goal-oriented. They overcome flaws, take action, and move towards changing their situation.

Can you give an example from *The Hunger Games* that illustrates the two parts of the middle?

In *The Hunger Games*, Katniss’s journey illustrates the two parts of the middle. In the first part, she is struggling and reactive, hiding from stronger tributes. In the second part, she takes proactive actions, like destroying the supplies of career tributes and killing Roos' killer, becoming more assertive and capable.

How can breaking the middle into two parts help writers?

Breaking the middle into two parts helps writers avoid a sagging middle by providing clear progression for the character. It allows for a more engaging narrative, with the character transitioning from reaction to action.

What advice does the speaker give about writing a more engaging middle section?

The speaker advises writers to understand the shift from a reactive to a proactive character in the middle section, ensuring the character grows and takes decisive actions to move the plot forward. This helps avoid a boring or tedious middle.