Writing Motivation: How to Win the Marathon of the Middle of Your Novel

Struggling to find the motivation to write the middle of your novel?

In this video, Jerry discusses the problems in the middle and how to solve them.

This video Discusses:

[00:07] Intro to the “Marathon of the Middle”
[01:08] Problems in the Middle and How to Solve Them
[01:22] 1. You’re questioning your original idea
[02:21] 2. Another idea has distracted you
[03:27] 3. You’re overly eager to get to your ending
[4:15] Establishing Setups that demand payoffs
[06:42] Managing Writer’s Fear

[seafoam]

Personally I find that the middle is like writing a new beginning. The tone shifts from part 1 to 2, established rules get changed, character motivation shift and new enemies appear on the horizon. Prepare for the second half, not the next chapter. Let your ending be the path back to the beginning, mirroring the start with a twist.

[anthonydim]

Your voice is always a blessing, full of enlightenment. I'm always grateful when I watch your videos. I'm a writer in this situation right now.

[kyejusung]

Thank you Jerry for sharing this video.

1. Questioning your original idea
2. Another idea has distracted you
3. You're too eager to get to your ending
Establishing setups that demand payoffs
Managing Writer's Fear

[CharlesNotXavier]

This gentleman is dangerous.
His voice is too soothing. He's like a grandpa I never had. I've watched many of his videos, and always end up feeling sleepy. Never listen to his videos while driving.

[stebbigunn]

Middle is something that needs to be practised, befoure I wrote my first book, i only wrote short storyes. But after writing a full book, the middle becomes second nature.

[RobertPrins-ll]

Am always inspired hearing about how Steven King's first novel got published. Thanks Jerry.

[WanjiruWaithaka]

The middle is where I throw plot twists that get the reader saying, 'I can't believe she did that!' And now they have to keep reading to see how it ends.

[vforv]

It’s crazy to hear you speak exactly what I am thinking. Thank you so much for this advice. Gotta go now: gotta write my book

[rajeshrai-kb]

Thank you tonnes many times … promise to engage whenever possible and required… oh, just discovered the channel today… so the first comment 🎉

[simplewrites]

Outlining helps me. Planning out each chapter feels liberating because in the future I won't ask myself "How do I continue this?". Instead, I ask "How could I improve what I've already planned?".

As an outliner, I might be biased toward this kind of writing but it helps me a lot. Brandon Sanderson taught it to me

[crafterjake]

I just recently started writing my book and was dreading the middle till yesterday evening when I suddenly got a very good idea and now it is the part I look forward to the most, I guess you could say I am in the marathon of the beginning now

[joeybabybaby]

JJ - "Those distracting ideas" either get integrated into what I'm currently writing, or get jotted down, put in the "idea drawer", and forgotten about until I finish my current project and then want inspiration for a new project. Love ya. Keep up the great advice-giving!

[mareker]

Thank you!! Finally I might be ablo to finish what I've started!!

[jongordon]

The bit at the end was incredibly inspirational and motivating

[enyalieTheWriter]

Ty for These lovely words. When I wrote the middle of my Roman it took me months of outlining before I knew how to truly write it.
I have this big Stack of documents at my Desktop full of Side Stories I wrote for this middle that will No one will ever read. But somehow it helped me, writing those pathways and seeing they resonate Into nothing. But through them i truly got to know my characters, their motivates and the Story I want to write

[JustTrailerProductions]

Great words Jerry and thank you for sharing your knowledge. It really helps!!

[charlievankesteren]

Thank-you for your wise counsel as always. We appreciate you!

[akioasakura]

Thank u so much sir ur a legend!! This also happens to me when studying, or doing anything rly. Starting is the toughest part? Untrue. THANK YOUU

[andyontheinternet]

I'm 52k into my manuscript, and this was very helpful!

[kerri-lynbryant]

Thanks Jerry. Its a slog..But.. I love my story. Hope it comes through xx