“Messy Middles: Raising the Stakes and Finding the Heart of Your Story” with Chaitali Sen

Getting your characters into trouble is part of what makes stories compelling, but it’s up to the author to guide the reader (and characters) through those messes without the middle of your manuscript becoming muddy or confusing. On the flip side is a flat, sluggish middle where too little happens. In this three-hour class, we will concentrate on the longest part of the narrative arc – the middle, where our initial enthusiasm for our project can often deflate. The source of energy, for the writer and the reader, lies in the strength of the story, the stakes of the problems our characters face, and action (plot). Participants will discuss the elements of a strong middle, look at different structures that can hold up a long manuscript, identify common problems, and brainstorm ideas for escalation. Please note: This class will include some group work in breakout rooms.

TAKE THIS CLASS IF: 

You are writing a novel or memoir.
You struggle with plot.
You’re stuck in the middle of a long project.
You want to understand narrative arc.