Comments on: How to Fix a Weak Novel Midpoint

By: Sharon Lightsey

Sharon Lightsey — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 23:28:20 +0000

Great post! I'm starting the middle today. Writers in the Storm is the BEST!

By: Linda K. Rodante

Linda K. Rodante — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 06:23:35 +0000

Excellent and timely!

By: Gillian Andrews

Gillian Andrews — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 15:04:31 +0000

I feel like you've opened my eyes to something very important. I always thought the climax happened toward the end of a story. But adding a shift in the middle, changing the stakes and direction for the protagonist is brilliant. Thank you.

By: Debbie Vilardi

Debbie Vilardi — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 14:59:56 +0000

In reply to Jenn Windrow. Good question. I guess I'll have to write it and find out.

By: Diane Cursons

Diane Cursons — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 16:17:09 +0000

Hi Jen

Thanks for your excellent advice on the Midpoint. I'm thankful to say I passed the test. I have a STRONG HINGE - understanding the importance of crafting a midpoint which shakes the protagonist's world apart and also propels the story in a different direction, has given me momentum to finish my first draft.

By: denise

denise — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 03:24:19 +0000

I love how you call it a hinge. It's important, because the ending might be flawed or lacking sense without the happenings in the middle.

By: Jennifer Windrow

Jennifer Windrow — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 02:17:25 +0000

In reply to Alicia Butcher Ehrhardt. Save the cat is amazing resource, and it looks like you’re putting in the work to get your plot just right!

By: Jennifer Windrow

Jennifer Windrow — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 02:16:07 +0000

In reply to Jenny Hansen. Thank you!!

By: Alicia Butcher Ehrhardt

Alicia Butcher Ehrhardt — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 01:44:15 +0000

As part of my 'process', I fill out the Save The Cat beat sheet for each book, which includes the Midpoint. Just as a check, not during the plotting per se.

The three volumes of my mainstream trilogy, Pride's Children, have:

PURGATORY:
9. Midpoint (55): STC: MIDPOINT - Bianca invites herself to dinner at Kary’s (11.2) [changes many relationships]

NETHERWORLD:
9. Midpoint (55): STC: MIDPOINT - Andrew offers comfort sex (27.5) [offer of a changed relationship, declined!]

LIMBO (in writing stage):
9. Midpoint (55): STC: MIDPOINT - False victory: stakes RAISED because he triggers the birth of the twins (WHIFF OF DEATH) Will the twins both make it? [I think the reader would like to know]

I'm not at that third one yet, but the plotted steps go quite well up to and through that milestone; the rest of the book deals with it.

One of the reasons I am an extreme plotter is that you can see these moments and tweak them if necessary BEFORE you spend a lot of words that you won't be able to use.

Since I use STC AFTER the major decisions are taken, I have found that it reinforces feeling secure about where the story will go when it hits the milestones well in a completely different plotting system.

By: Jenny Hansen

Jenny Hansen — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 22:33:53 +0000

I love this post, Jenn! It's useful, and sooooo many people have trouble with (and get lost in) Act 2. I think this will be one a lot of our readers bookmark!