Mush in the Middle
Why do the middles of books, like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, tend to get so mushy, squished and icky?
I am trying to brush up my book and I think the beginning and ending are adequate, but Chapters 12 and 13 are simply undigestible. I honestly don't know what to do with them.
Some of the problems are:
* too many truncated scenes giving a staccato feel to the chapters
* low tension sub-plots
* time bridges
* scenes which serve to set up later tension but are otherwise boring
* merely cutting or combining scenes results in illogical sequencing
I am trying to brush up my book and I think the beginning and ending are adequate, but Chapters 12 and 13 are simply undigestible. I honestly don't know what to do with them.
Some of the problems are:
* too many truncated scenes giving a staccato feel to the chapters
* low tension sub-plots
* time bridges
* scenes which serve to set up later tension but are otherwise boring
* merely cutting or combining scenes results in illogical sequencing
Comments
Come to think of it, so does my beginning.
...and...er, so does my end!!!
Middles are just gross. I don't know about you, but I'm not a big "planner." When I write, I come up with the beginning and the ending. The middle is what connects the two, and it's totally made up as I go. That's probably why it sucks to write.
I have the same problem with my book. There are subplots in my story which must be told but they're not as dramatic as the main plot. As a result, a few chapters muddle along. I don't want to cut the subplots out as they set up the finale.
hmmmm
In theory it sounds good to just chop out the middle between the beginning and the end, but in practice, it doesn't work. The beginning is a journey to a place, the end is an extended battle sequence. In the middle, the characters are at the place doing their thing. So it's kinda crucial. :)
Possibly, it's really the beginning I should chop, at least I've been told so by one beta reader. But, nah, I won't.
Your comment reminded me not to lose sight of the bigger picture.
Laughingwolf: Supersex. Check.
If it seems mushy, it may be because the characters aren't strong enough in their needs and wants, or in the opposition / conflict to what they want. As one of my writer friends reminded me, you can write a scene where all a guy wants is a glass of water, as long as he wants it REALLY BAD, and someone or something is PREVENTING HIM FROM HAVING IT!