The Middle Bit

[Lifelongdagger]

I've just finished part one of my WIP and want to take a new direction for part two - the middle part.

Part One introduces the MC and the conflict, ending with him setting off on a train towards the finale. Part one also shows the MC to be a deeply troubled character, issues with anger, trust, women, etc. Although the reasons to these issues are alluded to, there is nothing specific. I am thinking of using Part Two as a way of detailing the MC's backstory and how these issues evolved, so that by the beginning of Part Three the reader can fully empathise with him as he faces the perils that await him.

Just wondered if anyone had any thoughts about going about it this way.

Warmest regards,

Ian

[BlueLucario]

I'm having sagging middle syndrome myself. You might want to try subplots, but don't use too many or else it strays you away from the original plot. If you don't write enough, then the story just goes on a straight line, and it goes off as stilted. Subplots are not just there to buff up word count, but just telling the readers that hey, the characters have lives too! :D

[Lifelongdagger]

I was thinking more of using the train journey as not only a way of moving to somewhere but also moving back to somewhere, i.e. the past. I thought of beginning Part Two with the MC as a little boy then working forwards to the moment the book begins. Something like that, anyway,

I think this will fit in fine with the word count without having to resort to any more subplots.

It's just an idea . . .

Thanks for your response, BL,

Ian

[Fillanzea]

You need the middle to stay exciting and retain your forward momentum. It might be possible to do a long, extended flash back like that without disrupting the suspense of the novel - but it's kind of risky. As readers we need to stay engaged with what's happening to the character NOW, not just in the past. One way to do that might be to intercut flashback scenes with present scenes, and I'm sure there are others as well.

Also, you might find you need less backstory than you thought.

[Dale Emery]

I am thinking of using Part Two as a way of detailing the MC's backstory and how these issues evolved, so that by the beginning of Part Three the reader can fully empathise with him as he faces the perils that await him.

Richard North Patterson has used that structure to good effect in several of his novels (e.g. Caroline Masters, I think). The trick is to make sure the backstory section is a compelling story in its own right. Otherwise, it's just backstory.

Dale

[Danthia]

If the backstory doesn't serve to advance the plot you might want to skip it. A little you can get away with, but more than a paragraph tends to get readers skimming. You say "detailing backstory" which sets my warning flags waving. That sounds like you plan to stop the story and get into backstory so we can understand your protag better in act three. If that backstory isn't actively moving the story along and causing conflict then chances are it doesn't belong. Be very wary about how you handle it.

[Karen Duvall]

Just watch your pacing. The middle is often where the story starts to sag and the reader will lose interest. So you'll need to keep up the action, include foreshadowing and drop story questions, to engage the reader at this point in the story. If you don't, they'll likely close the book and seek out something more compelling to read.

[Prawn]

Make sure we like the character as well. Some writers put so many problems on the character that the reader can't like them. If the readers doesn't like your character, he'd better have some really compelling things going on, or they will pick up some other book.

[Lifelongdagger]

Thanks everyone for taking the time to think about this. You've all convinced me that it might be best to carry on with the main story until the end, then drop in any flashback scenes afterwards at strategic points, linking them directly to the MC's current predicament.

A case of mid-story panic, perhaps . . .

Thanks you all, once again.

Warmest regards,

Ian

[Telstar]

May I suggest you a couple of books (amazon the tiles)?

Plot and Structure
and
Beginnings, middles and endings