tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4206355073837906221.post7034975549493475917..comments2024-03-08T20:57:25.380-08:00Comments on Julie Musil, Author: Spicing Up The MiddleUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4206355073837906221.post-65366303195402544512010-08-24T10:54:01.821-07:002010-08-24T10:54:01.821-07:00Thanks everyone for your comments. If you don'...Thanks everyone for your comments. If you don't have Plot & Structure, I highly recommend getting it!Julie Musilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02150454913885915017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4206355073837906221.post-62229509074321658122010-08-24T05:34:27.914-07:002010-08-24T05:34:27.914-07:00i've never heard of this book, but great post ...i've never heard of this book, but great post -- and i totally agree with item number one on the list: stakes, stakes, stakes!! i think i'll actually print out this list to refer to as i get deeper into my current wip-<br /><br />p.s. thanks for your lovely comments over at my blog♡Amanda Summerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00942636545948440422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4206355073837906221.post-26083129316491625842010-08-23T16:21:50.864-07:002010-08-23T16:21:50.864-07:00I focus on action, action, action. If the story is...I focus on action, action, action. If the story isn't moving and my MC isn't constantly battling, it's not working.<br /><br />I like that you and your MC are holding hands. :)<br /><br />Good luck!Suzanne Casamentohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08306151428658707692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4206355073837906221.post-16361984460296372082010-08-23T13:52:35.002-07:002010-08-23T13:52:35.002-07:00Oh, my poor protagonist. She's really cool. Ca...Oh, my poor protagonist. She's really cool. Can't she just have a conflict-free existence?Missed Periodshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10343265071637032284noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4206355073837906221.post-21967795540889416532010-08-23T08:38:42.876-07:002010-08-23T08:38:42.876-07:00That's some great advise. I might have to look...That's some great advise. I might have to look this book up!Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05130733681254163610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4206355073837906221.post-15073819669160573072010-08-23T07:54:04.042-07:002010-08-23T07:54:04.042-07:00This is one of my favorite "How to" book...This is one of my favorite "How to" books. I'm so glad you mentioned it, I heart Mr. Bell, too.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4206355073837906221.post-77876368585201595642010-08-23T05:13:18.270-07:002010-08-23T05:13:18.270-07:00Hi Julie! I think tackling the middle really come...Hi Julie! I think tackling the middle really comes down to layering. How many problems/conflicts have you already layered on your MC and how many have been resolved if any? Would the reader feel a sense of urgency and desire to continue reading? Good luck!!!Lindsayhttp://www.lindsayncurrie.webs.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4206355073837906221.post-35027781668827427292010-08-22T17:14:18.489-07:002010-08-22T17:14:18.489-07:00I'm so glad I got myself a copy of that book s...I'm so glad I got myself a copy of that book so that I can cure my potentially sagging middles.Hannahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16915603693944523761noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4206355073837906221.post-55160841440497553852010-08-22T13:32:35.149-07:002010-08-22T13:32:35.149-07:00I love that book! James Scott Bell is a writing ge...I love that book! James Scott Bell is a writing genius!Laura S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13934230198562773803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4206355073837906221.post-74107135849535649602010-08-22T08:31:40.333-07:002010-08-22T08:31:40.333-07:00Thank you so much for this. I was kinda needing it...Thank you so much for this. I was kinda needing it... *frown*. Beginnings and ends, no problem. But then the middle. I tend to put too much stuff in the center. Good for Oreo's but not stream lined stories.Nicole Murrayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09605448429334684845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4206355073837906221.post-81389795359225750472010-08-22T07:55:34.735-07:002010-08-22T07:55:34.735-07:00Hi Julie..perfect timing for this post as currentl...Hi Julie..perfect timing for this post as currently I am tackling the middle of my WIP. I plan to raise the stakes, make the protagonist and antagonist clash and add a twist to the tale. Hopefully all this may spice up the saggy middle.Rachna Chhabriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16900999965919504282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4206355073837906221.post-25078544235540008332010-08-21T20:47:51.497-07:002010-08-21T20:47:51.497-07:00Can't we just skip to the end? No? Fine. Th...Can't we just skip to the end? No? Fine. Then I guess those are some good pointers.Lisa Gail Greenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4206355073837906221.post-22154825299268968822010-08-21T19:11:43.418-07:002010-08-21T19:11:43.418-07:00That's great advice - middles can be so tough!...That's great advice - middles can be so tough! Thanks :)Jemi Fraserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02214408467456320167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4206355073837906221.post-46277627266784322962010-08-21T18:23:35.805-07:002010-08-21T18:23:35.805-07:00I may have to crack open this book again too Julie...I may have to crack open this book again too Julie. I'm in the middle and I'm trying to focus on character inter-relationships and the MC's story yearning. My sub-plots also get juicy in the middle too.<br /><br />Good luck! :)Karen Stronghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08697785820907711723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4206355073837906221.post-38005286750489842452010-08-21T18:09:43.729-07:002010-08-21T18:09:43.729-07:00Thanks for sharing your thoughts on middles! They...Thanks for sharing your thoughts on middles! They're tricky little buggers.Julie Musilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02150454913885915017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4206355073837906221.post-91163028804343773452010-08-21T15:13:08.995-07:002010-08-21T15:13:08.995-07:00I also struggle with my middles--I know where I ne...I also struggle with my middles--I know where I need to get to and that is usually where I add in a twist and some more conflict.Terri Tiffanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07771622379178654235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4206355073837906221.post-86635793205838394382010-08-21T15:03:55.252-07:002010-08-21T15:03:55.252-07:00I hit a wall with my first two first drafts. I kep...I hit a wall with my first two first drafts. I kept on going, refusing to quit. With my third, it was a breeze from beginning to end. The difference is I had no outline which still has shaking my head in wonderment.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4206355073837906221.post-50312201778197611732010-08-21T13:07:11.979-07:002010-08-21T13:07:11.979-07:00Hi Julie - your post has come at just the right ti...Hi Julie - your post has come at just the right time. I struggle so with pushing past the first few chapters and have spent the last few days chewing up and spitting out ideas. I must have all our local library's books about plotting sitting on my kitchen table, but perhaps I need the one you're quoting!Leigh D'Anseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07239096327493902466noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4206355073837906221.post-30223556727936810832010-08-21T11:29:34.871-07:002010-08-21T11:29:34.871-07:00I will come back to this when I look at my ms. aga...I will come back to this when I look at my ms. again, about a week from now. Just to see how my middle is coming along. I think I'll look for that writing book, too, it sounds good! Thanks for the tips.Karen Jones Gowenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01153821980625034810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4206355073837906221.post-88898029580480761642010-08-21T11:18:17.826-07:002010-08-21T11:18:17.826-07:00What an excellent post, Julie! I am in the middle ...What an excellent post, Julie! I am in the middle of my story now and I needed this SO BADLY! I can see clearly that I'm on the right track in places, but not following through in others.<br /><br />There really is so much to remember when writing, it's important to stop and analyze by asking, "What am I doing?"Jessica Lemmonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16388504462239939840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4206355073837906221.post-18756741570267540102010-08-21T09:20:43.967-07:002010-08-21T09:20:43.967-07:00Middles and I don't get along. I first run awa...Middles and I don't get along. I first run away screaming, then come back and buckle down until it's done.Meghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08718382178913859357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4206355073837906221.post-12620115604742105182010-08-21T08:46:17.530-07:002010-08-21T08:46:17.530-07:00Great post, Julie.
I tackle my middles by figuring...Great post, Julie.<br />I tackle my middles by figuring out how to keep the story interesting while the character is trying to finish his or her mission or simply trying to confront the antagonist. I add in characters that move the story along and I put in some adventure and action to spice it up.<br />The way I see it is if you don't give a reason for the reader to stay interested they very well might put down the book.<br />And yeah, sometimes we do have to torture our main character(s) more than we would like to, but I think in the end our MC will have to hold onto our hand because let's face it they can't get their story anywhere without us working like heck to get it published.<br /><br />Happy writing,<br />LReneeSLindsey Richardsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05479405614100115901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4206355073837906221.post-45336313480858436162010-08-21T08:38:14.249-07:002010-08-21T08:38:14.249-07:00Those are great suggestions!
I tackle my middle ...Those are great suggestions! <br /><br />I tackle my middle before hand with plotting. I center my middle around the big reveal or twist that changes up the story for my protag. So the scenes before the big twist lead up to it and the ones afterward deal with the aftermath and replanning of goals. That's putting it simply; of course, I still struggle through the middle, like everyone else. :)Laura Paulinghttp://www.laurapauling.comnoreply@blogger.com