on Jane Friedman site:
Is there anything more thrilling for the creative soul than starting a shiny new story? It seduces you effortlessly, promising you a dazzling future, and in the heady flush of new love it feels as if this perfect communion between you will never end.
And then comes the middle of the book.
But when things get tough, that doesn’t mean the story isn’t worth fighting for. Figuring out the problem and resolving it can and should add even more depth and dimension.
When a manuscript loses its momentum, generally the issue is one of several culprits:
- The plot has lost its cohesion.
- The characters aren’t progressing on their arcs.
- The story stakes have deflated.
- Tension and suspense have lagged.
Here’s how to spot what may be derailing your story, and ways you can get things back on track.
