Untouched word count at 57,800.
The current chapter I'm working on has been the hardest to write thus far. I don't know why, but I can't help but worry that what I'm writing is crap, which is why it's so difficult to get out. I'm trying not to go back and edit everything around, but I know that during revisions this part is going to be tricky.
I feel like there's a lull in the plot line, but I also feel like it's a necessary lull, the calm before the storm. Don't get me wrong- the events that happen here are still important to the story, there is still relationship drama, and plenty of character defining moments. But the story does slow down a bit. The MC is tricked into a false calm, thinking everything is going to be "la la la happy ending" when BAM! her world starts falling apart again. I think the reader needs to be brought along on that ride as well, but I'm not sure how it will play out. But that's what beta readers are for, right?
Do you have a "calm before the storm" in your story? How do you handle the lull in the plot line and still keep the story interesting and engaging?
I have something like that when there HAS to be a POV shift and it's the hardest chapter for me. But it's not in the middle, it's chapter five. The only advice I can say is just keep working it. They DO NOT like slow--dry middles. Find some way to pick up the pace,even just a little. You will! That's what writers do! :)
ReplyDeleteHm, I don't think I have any calm-before-the-storm parts. I know a lot of my beginnings end up being too slow/too long, so I've been working on my current WIP with trying to break my endless sucky-beginning cycle. I usually do that be shortening the slow scene as much as possible; only a few words are really needed to convey a time of peace and calm in an MC's life. Then jump into the action!
ReplyDeleteIt depends on the story. Some of mine do have a calm before the storm. Others don't. Not every story can be 100% action all the time.
ReplyDeleteUrgh. I totally have a lull right now...and it's driving me crazy! I think I'm going to spice it up by adding more foreshadow.
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