Stuck in the Middle of Your Story? Here’s How to Fix It
You have a great story idea… But can't keep the ideas flowing. Ideas on how to finish that story!
4/5/20261 min read
If your characters feel flat, you’re not alone. Most writers struggle with this—especially when starting out.
When my students tell me they can't finish a story because they run out of ideas, or it gets boring, I know just what to say.
Tell me about your main character.
No, I don't care about their eye or hair color. I want to KNOW them. Tell me their fears. Their flaws. Their relationship with their family.
Now tell me why. Why are they afraid of clowns? Why didn't they get along with their mother?
Truthfully, your reader will never know most of it. But it is what has shaped your character, made them who they are. It's how you keep your story going in the middle when it begins to drag.
When you know your character, you can also find problems for your characters. Problems drive stories! Conflict keeps your (and your readers') interest up!
The next time your story begins to drag, I want you to answer these questions:
Who is actively working against my character now?
How can the situation get worse instead of better?
What misunderstanding could create more conflict?
What pressure can I add (time, danger, secrets)?
What does my character not know that will hurt them?
Here are some questions to dig deep into your character's internal conflict.
What fear is holding my character back right now?
What belief is causing them to make the wrong choice?
What are they avoiding dealing with?
What would force them to confront that fear?
How is their flaw making things worse?
And for added help, check out my Character Development Binder for Young Authors! A surefire way to build unforgettable characters in your story!
Happy Writing!
Michelle
