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Your midpoint scene is pretty important. That is when the reader thinks they have a handle on what is going on but then you throw more at them. C. S. Lakin has great advice on how to manage and get the most out of your midpoint scene, just head to Live Write Thrive to learn more.
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Insights into Your Midpoint Scene
by C. S. Lakin
As we’re going deeper into the ten key scenes you need for the first layer in your novel, I want to explore the midpoint some more. I wrote about that 50% mark of your novel in past posts, but I’m going to share more examples of great midpoint moments.
The midpoint is a crucial part of novel structure. As I’ve explained before, it’s the moment in which something new occurs. Some new major development or complication. Some twist or disruption.
Sometimes it’s the spiritual or emotional place the protagonist comes to, after a series of difficult setbacks or obstacles, where he’s pushed to make a hard decision, go through another “door of no return,” solidify his resolve, and move into further action. It’s a turning point that usually ramps the story up into a higher gear.
Midpoints can also be reversals. Something unexpected happens and changes the worldview of the protagonist. His plan no longer works and things have to change. A good midpoint reversal will also raise the stakes, even if they were already high. It often elevates the personal stakes in a way that wasn’t there before or reveals a secret. Sometimes it requires a sacrifice, be it a personal belief or an ally. It may involve all these things.
Read the full post on Live Write Thrive.