On Writing : Overcoming Mid-Novel Slumps: Expert Advice from Jerry B. Jenkins by Ashley Renee Smith

Ashley Renee Smith

Overcoming Mid-Novel Slumps: Expert Advice from Jerry B. Jenkins

Every writer knows that the middle of a novel can be challenging, often referred to as the "Marathon of the Middle." In this insightful video, renowned author Jerry B. Jenkins shares practical strategies to maintain momentum and motivation during this critical phase of writing. He discusses common pitfalls and offers solutions to keep your narrative engaging and your writing process on track.

Jerry B. Jenkins is the author of over 200 books, including 21 New York Times bestsellers, making his advice invaluable for writers at any stage of their journey.

Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-gTGKdu4uw

Have you experienced challenges when writing the middle sections of your novel? What techniques have you found helpful to overcome them? Let's share our experiences and tips in the comments below!

Maurice Vaughan

Great share, Ashley Renee Smith! I'm not a novelist, but writing the middle of a script is tricky sometimes. Raising the stakes, using a twist, and paying off a setup are some ways I keep my scripts engaging during the middle.

Leonardo Ramirez

Very familiar Ashley Renee Smith. I'm with Maurice on this one. Add a twist and raise the stakes and you're good to go. We tend to share the stakes at the beginning but if we consider in pre-planning a stake and what would it look like it to up that by a factor of ten, we have something in our back pocket. He's got good advice.

Jonathan Jordan

When I get to the middle and get stuck, I jump ahead to the next part of the story that's clear in my mind. Then I got back and build the bridge. Reading is linear but writing doesn't have to be! This has saved me from writer's block countless times.

Ashley Renee Smith

That makes a lot of sense, Jonathan Jordan! I need to be more mindful of that when I feel stuck in my own writing.

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