How to Keep Readers’ Interest in the Middle of Your Book

Categories: Character | Fiction | Novel | Plot | Writing

The middle of a novel is where many stories lose energy. Ashley Sargeant Hagan, Diane Sismour, Hank Phillippi Ryan, Jule Selbo, and Rich Zahradnik explore how to maintain momentum through the second act by deepening character arcs, raising stakes, and introducing meaningful complications. This session offers practical techniques for keeping readers fully engaged long after the opening hook.

To access this content, please sign up as a member.

Check out these other resources:

Murder in the City that Doesn’t Sleep

Murder in the City that Doesn’t Sleep

Edgar Clark, Katia Lief, Lawrence Kelter, Meredith Anthony, and Wendy Corsi Staub explore how New York City becomes more than a backdrop in crime fiction. They discuss how the city’s energy, diversity, and intensity influence tone, motive, and the mysteries that...