Writing Craft
Middles
The middle sustains momentum and deepens conflict. This certificate program examines escalation, subplots, character development, and avoiding the common pitfalls of narrative sag.
Courses
How to Keep Readers’ Interest in the Middle of Your Book
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.
The “3 Acts” of Your Story and Why “Act 2 (The Middle)” is So Important
Act Two carries the weight of the entire story. Jule Selbo breaks down the three-act structure with a focused look at why the middle matters most. This session examines how conflict, obstacles, reversals, and escalating pressure work together to keep stories emotionally compelling and structurally sound.
The Middle of Your Book: Pushing the Story Forward When It Starts to Stall
A strong middle keeps tension alive and pushes the story toward its conclusion. In a lively Q&A, Clay Stafford and Joyce Carol Oates discuss how to sustain narrative drive through the heart of a manuscript. This session explores ways to keep scenes purposeful, stakes active, and readers invested all the way to the end.
Wandering Middles: How to Repair a Story That’s Losing Momentum
When a story starts to drift, it often happens in the middle. Alan Elliott, Dianne McCartney, J.J. Renek, Ley Esses, Mark Jones, and T.K. Sheffield tackle common problems that cause middles to stall. This session offers plotting and revision strategies for both planners and intuitive writers who want to restore focus, tension, and forward motion.