By Susan L. Tuttle, @Susan_Tuttle5
I’m in the muddled middle of my next novel, and this is always the part where I spend more time staring at my screen than I do sleeping each night. In fact, it’s right about now that tasks such as grocery shopping, folding laundry, or jogging (FYI, I loathe jogging) sound more favorable than sitting down with my laptop. Yet, I have a deadline that is not going to change merely because words aren’t flowing. Nor should it. This is a job, and whether I feel like it or not, I have work to do. (Sidenote: Published or unpublished, learn to finish your story. It doesn’t have to be pretty, that’s what edits are for, but it does need to be written. Publishers tend to prefer books that have an ending☺ And learning to reach one develops necessary muscle in you as a writer.)
So, what does a writer do when they don’t know what to do next in their story? Here’s a few things I’ve learned that have helped me slog my way through the dreaded middle. This isn’t an exhaustive list, and if you have any pointers to add, please do! However, these are some habits that have helped me.
- Brainstorm with a friend. I love the Voxer app for this. I can talk through what I’m stuck on, and my friend will receive the message. She can listen to it at her leisure then hit me back up with her thoughts and ideas. What’s great is oftentimes, as I talk through what has me stuck, I stumble across the solution. But if I don’t, I can guarantee my brainstorming partner will offer a nugget that helps me keep moving forward.
- Bullet Points. Yep. Good old bullet points. If I’m not sure what to write next, I open a document and use bullet points to write out all the things I do know. Beats I know the story has to hit yet. Places my characters must go. Clues they need to uncover. Revelations they need to stumble upon. Even fun romantic scenes I know I want to include. Then I look at that list and see how I want to connect it all.
- Craft Books. There are some amazing books on how to write a scene out there. I love Make a Scene by Jordan Rosenfeld and all of the writer thesauruses from Writers Helping Writers just to name a few. But there are so many more out there that can help expand your tools along with your vocabulary. As writers, we need to always be growing and learning.
- Just Do It. No, I’m not stealing Nike’s slogan. I’m sharing the biggest tip I’ve learned, and that is good old grit and consistency. Remember the old saying, the best way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time? That applies here as well. Sit down every day and add to your story. If you have to skip to a new scene and come back later to the one that’s stumped you, go for it. If you need to flush out an old scene to add depth and color, then do that. If you can only eek out two hundred new words in two hours’ time, then get them on the page. Don’t allow yourself to be distracted or give up. Whatever you do, make forward progress. It all adds up, and before you know it, you’ll be writing “The End”.
So that’s it, my friends. Small things I’ve learned that can make a huge impact whenever I find myself stuck. Have you used any of these? Or do you have ideas you can add to the list? We’re all here to help one another, and I know I’m not the only writer to run into a block! Let me know what you do when you find yourself stalled out.
The Rare Jewel of Everleigh Wheaton
In her search for a rare gem, will Everleigh end up uncovering the true treasure of her heart?
Personal care nurse Everleigh Wheaton knows it only takes a few well-placed lies to ruin a reputation. She’s experienced it time and time again. But there’s a silver lining to repeatedly proving herself: she’s confident and self-reliant.
When she loses yet another job and an enigmatic stranger offers her a potential way out, she’s game. After all, she loves a good mystery, and an invitation to visit the legendary Halstead Manor is irresistible. But she’s not about to let her guard down–especially with the other women who received the same invitation.
A strange voice on the phone tells them he’s gathered the three of them to work together as treasure hunters. The first assignment requires Everleigh to be a traveling nurse for retired FBI agent Gertrude Levine, who has one cold case she just can’t let go of: the Florentine diamond that went missing when the Austrian Empire fell.
With Everleigh’s keen ability to solve puzzles, Natalie Daughtry’s vast knowledge of history, and Brooke Sumner’s connections to the antiques world, they’re bound to track down the diamond. Except that Gertie’s nephew, Niles Butler, doesn’t trust Everleigh’s innocent act . . . even if he finds himself falling for her. Worse, Everleigh’s walls of self-preservation may doom the entire team.
Hints of real-life historical events combined with contemporary characters make this first book in the Treasures of Halstead Manor series a masterful blend of romance, mystery, and strong female friendships. Readers of authors like Denise Hunter and Nicole Deese who enjoy unfolding relationships and the organic discovery of God’s love will relish this new series.
Susan L. Tuttle is a pastor’s wife, mom, and the director of women’s ministry at her church near Grand Rapids, Michigan. Her previous work includes the Count on Love series, and the Carol Award finalist Love You, Truly. Learn more about Susan at susanltuttle.com.