How to Write a Novel: The Middlish-Beginning

By this time in your novel, you're probably thinking two words.

1) Bored
2) Stuck
3) Level 12 "Failure"

Okay, so that's really three words. Oh, wait, no...one, two...four, not including the numbers. Well, it's easy to feel this way. Actually, around this area is where the Writer's Block sets in. But we won't let that happen, in case you've forgotten.


1. The New World

So, your hero just accepted the challenge fate has handed to him. He's pulled the sword from his sheath and charged into battle screaming war cries of either terror and/or courage. So, what now?

Well, it's important to set out a new world for your character—something totally different from what he's used to. Frodo's new world was the land beyond the Shire, traveling with the Fellowship. Luke Skywalker's new world is space and the ways of a Jedi.

This may seem like an obvious point, but you would be surprised at how easily this is overlooked. It's not just about sticking your character in a new environment he's not used to. You must make sure he's forced to act in ways he's not used to. If a dragon shows up, your hero can't run away anymore. He has to face the beast head-on, mano a mano, for whatever reason. This is what creates a believable New World.

But remember to make your hero's progression to actual heroism an upward slope. He can't just magically become a master of all magic and whap all who cross his path. You understand, right?


2. The Villain

I know (or at least I hope) by this point you have already figured out who your villain is and what he's doing to make a mess. Well, around this point, your hero becomes straight-forwardly against the bad guy. He's not a watcher anymore, he's an actor. He won't stand by the sidelines and wait for the right moment, he goes looking for the right moment.

The villain should become directly involved against the hero at this point as well, if he wasn't already. He may think, My my, what a foolish boy, or he may say, Oh dear, now I may actually have to watch out for him. Whichever your villain tells you, act upon it. If he's sort of indifferent to the hero, you may want to just test him out, feel for a weakness, maybe by sending a couple thugs to see how he reacts. Or maybe he's the type to immediately try to wipe him off the face of the planet. Create conflict based on your villain's view of the hero.


With these little sweethearts under your belt, you're off to a WB-free middle.

OR ARE YOU...?


A.C.