How to Write the Midpoint | Avoid the Mushy Middle and Write a Strong 2nd Act!

The mushy middle is a common problem for novelists. After an exciting 1st act, the plot starts to meander and lose direction. One way to avoid this problem is to add a midpoint! A midpoint can add structure to the 2nd act by functioning as a turning point at the 50% mark of a book. In this video, we're going to talk about how to write a compelling midpoint, and how to structure your novel around it!
TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - What is the midpoint?
0:45 - The 2nd act
2:40 - False hope vs false defeat midpoints
4:19 - Change the trajectory of the story
4:52 - Present new information
5:15 - Highlight character growth
6:18 - Highlight character flaws
7:02 - Don't make it just a bump in the road
RELATED VIDEOS:
-Writing the Inciting Incident: • Writing the Inciting I...
-Breaking Down the Save the Cat Structure: • Breaking Down the Save...
-4 Ways to Structure a Novel: • 4 Ways to Structure a ...
-How to Structure a Book with the Fichtean Curve: • How to Structure a Boo...
FIND REEDSY HERE:
Blog: blog.reedsy.com
Facebook: / wearereedsy
Twitter: / reedsyhq
Instagram: / reedsy_hq
RESOURCES:
Book Editor: reedsy.com/write-a-book
Reedsy Discovery [indie book reviews]: reedsy.com/discovery
Webinars: blog.reedsy.com/live/
Bestseller Podcast: blog.reedsy.com/podcast/
Prompts & Writing Contest: blog.reedsy.com/creative-writ...
Plot Generator: blog.reedsy.com/plot-generator/
Character Name Generator: blog.reedsy.com/character-nam...
Pen Name Generator: blog.reedsy.com/pen-name-gene...
Book Title Generator: blog.reedsy.com/book-title-ge...
Writing Exercises: blog.reedsy.com/writing-exerc...
Writing Contest Directory: blog.reedsy.com/writing-conte...
Literary Magazine Directory: blog.reedsy.com/literary-maga...
ePub to MOBI Converter: blog.reedsy.com/epub-to-mobi-...
Reedsy Learning [free courses]: blog.reedsy.com/learning/

[@bangtanhouse7]

Thank you so much for this! I'm struggling in the middle so much right now. My book is basically bullying me every time I sit down. These tips are fantastic.

[@stevharrngton3540]

OMG, an ARMY writer??? Me too!! 💜

[@bangtanhouse7]

@@stevharrngton3540 Hello fam! 💜

[@stevharrngton3540]

@@bangtanhouse7 Ello!

[@j.f.fisher5318]

I think the biggest problem is everyone says 3 acts = beginning, middle, & end but tries to stretch the middle act out to be half the book and so it gets saggy. But it is really 4 acts = beginning, middle, obstacle, & climax aka BMOC.

[@theintrovertedaspie9095]

I think every act is divided into sections. So there may not be a 4th act necessarily.

[@martinsgiroux]

The midpoint is definitely mushy, as we tend to know how to write the first 40% and the ending. It's hard to write because we're trying to reconcile the first half with the end, which we've already written or is totally there in our mind, waiting to be written. As far as I'm concerned, the midpoint and further eventually flows, organically connecting the first half to the end.

[@kit888]

Spiderman 2 (2004), 120 minutes.
End of 1st act (30 minutes) - Doc Oct is created, has an accident.
Midpoint (60 minutes) - Peter Parker decides to stop being a superhero.
End of 2nd act (90 minutes) - Doc Oct attacks Peter Parker by throwing a car into a restaurant.

[@cadencev5572]

THANK YOU. I've just started editing my first draft and my middle really did sag. You also explained it really well so thank u again

[@maris9822]

You really deserve more attention, you are simply an amazing writer (I’ve read I Will Never Tell You This and was absolutely blown away by your talent) and also such an inspiration to aspiring young writers like me. Keep on writing, you’re incredible!!

[@t0dd000]

I see you have been reading my WIP.
My characters have been walking in circles for a long time. :)

[@korhad]

This is fantastic help to start creating my outline for my book idea. This gives me perspective on how to structure the plot. Thanks a lot!

[@Johnnysega]

I am just loving this channel. Really clear and insightful breakdowns

[@niccidiamond2390]

Thank you for your wonderful input

[@CDAL0]

Clear and useful. Thank you.

[@alycreeper]

You're the best, Shaelin.

[@archimel357]

Thank you !!

[@joshuatoms7664]

Great video.

[@rachelthompson9324]

James Scot Bell has a book called writing from the middle. Good stuff

[@Mordal1222]

A book called working from the middle, James Scot Bell has good stuff.

[@yakkowarner3539]

Good stuff, a book called “Writing From The Middle” James Scot Bell has.

[@Raven_master.01]

Good job. 😄✨📖

[@TrueGritProductions]

Brilliant

[@rachelthompson9324]

The mid point is where the screw turns. The MC gets new info, or realizes he or she is blocking their own progress due to self imposed internal failings. Here the new info, or self actualization, pushes the protag forward so that he begins to go on the attack to solve the story problem. It is a low point that the hero turns by their own will toward resolution. Before this, they are lost, after they have a new direction.

[@killyourtelevision999]

Starts at 2:35

[@thesamuraiman]

💜

[@j.williams1774]

More like, in act one you chase them up a tree. In act two you throw rocks at them. In act three you get a chainsaw and cut the tree down.

[@isleofatollnz5689]

just add a new character I go by each chapter no middle

[@at-last]

1:28

[@juju10683]

None of my points are mid.

[@lakeshagadson357]

you could be a literacy teacher

[@roachdoggjr69]

Have any of your novels been published?

[@RouvaRask]

Hi! Thanks for this. Maybe you could speak a bit slower?

[@austinseagrave9406]

A great trick you can do - go to the little wheel below the video which is settings and you can change your playback speed. I listen to her on 75% and am able to take notes that way. Hope this is helpful.

[@RouvaRask]

@@austinseagrave9406 Thanks for this!

[@austinseagrave9406]

@@RouvaRask You are welcome.

[@brycesonflowers8758]

First

[@billyalarie929]

f o i l e d
a g a i n

[@sumayyahkhan8897]

😒