What's in the Middle

Once upon a time . . . and they lived happily ever after. What happens in the middle?

Think about a roller coaster ride when creating the middle of a story, essay or poem. Mr. Toad's Wild Ride at Disneyland provides a variety of twists, turns, and the intrigue of sights and sounds to hold the traveler's attention. Write that experience for your reader.

Keep the action going to avoid a sag in the middle of your writing. Hold onto the reader's attention from beginning to end by gathering speed, surging up and down hills. Race around corners and into tunnels. Develop surprises and darkness. Add sensory imagery in sounds, scents, and textures to gain momentum.

Let characters cause dilemmas and struggle their way out. Maintain tension and mystery to keep the reader curious.

If you feel stuck, consider adding another element or two. Choose a danger, a discovery, a surprise, a new character, another location, an argument, an accident, a chase, a secret revealed.

Continue the pace without telling the reader what to expect.

Go for the release of tension in the ending after your readers' heart rates shoot up. 

Make a list of five favorite stories, essays or poems. How did their middles hold your attention?

Take a  look at the middles of your writing. How would you rewrite a dippy middle? 

Prop them up with intensity in action.