How to Fix Your Novel's Saggy Middle

You've hooked readers with a compelling opening, you know exactly how your story ends, but in between is the dreaded middle. Where many a manuscript loses momentum and readers start skimming.

A "saggy middle" happens when your story loses direction and slows. Characters might wander, scenes can feel repetitive, and the narrative treads water instead of building toward a meaningful conclusion. The good news is that it's a common problem, and it's entirely fixable with the right strategies.

Understanding Why Middles Sag

The middle is structurally challenging because it's the longest section of your book; roughly 50% of your manuscript. You've exhausted the novelty of the initial setup, but the climax still feels far away. Many writers lose their initial enthusiasm here and become unsure of where the story is heading. Or perhaps more accurately, how to get there.

The most common symptom is repetition without progression. Characters might have the same argument in chapter 15 that they had in chapter 8. They face obstacles, but nothing fundamentally changes for them or the plot. Pacing slows. Readers lose interest.

Strategy 1: Build Around a Clear Through-Line

Every strong middle needs a central spine that gives your story direction. This is the main question or goal driving your narrative forward: Will she find the real killer? Can they save their kingdom? Will he escape the island?

Test every scene in your middle against this through-line. Each scene should either advance the central question or complicate it in a meaningful way. If a scene doesn't connect to your story's driving force, it might be a candidate for cutting or revision. A clear focus prevents the plot from meandering. This can seem harsh, but it's true. Every scene needs to advance the plot (and build character, but that's a separate topic).

Strategy 2: Introduce a Midpoint Reversal

One of the most powerful tools for defeating a saggy middle is a strong midpoint reversal. This is a major event around the 50% mark that fundamentally shifts your story's direction. It's not just "another thing that happens"; a true midpoint reversal is a game-changer that raises the stakes and forces your protagonist to adapt.

Common types of midpoint reversals include:

• A false victory: Everything seems to be going right, then it all collapses spectacularly.
• A devastating loss: The protagonist's plan fails, forcing an entirely new approach.
• A major reveal: New information surfaces that recontextualizes everything the reader and protagonist thought they knew.
• A point of no return: The character crosses a threshold, making it impossible to go back to the way things were.

In The Hunger Games, the announcement that two tributes from the same district can win together is a midpoint reversal. It transforms the story from a tale of pure survival into one about a complex alliance and a political game. From that point on, the narrative operates under a new set of rules.

Strategy 3: Escalate Complications and Stakes

Your middle should follow a principle of escalation: problems must get progressively worse, not remain static. Think in terms of "Yes, but..." or "No, and..." rather than repetitive obstacles.

When your protagonist tries to solve a problem, don't just have them fail and try again. Have them fail in a way that makes the situation worse. Or, let them succeed, but that success has created new, bigger problems.

Escalate on multiple levels:

• External stakes: Physical danger increases, time runs out, or resources dwindle.
• Internal stakes: The emotional cost rises, relationships fracture, or the character's core identity is threatened.
• Scope stakes: What started as a personal problem becomes a community-wide threat, or what seemed epic becomes deeply personal.

For example: in the protagonist's quest for revenge, they start becoming the thing they were fighting against. The people near them begin to notice and get pushed away. Those are real consequences for the 'success' that the protagonist is having against the villain.

The key is to make complications feel like organic consequences of earlier choices, not random obstacles thrown into the protagonist's path.

Strategy 4: Develop Subplots That Intersect

Subplots can save your middle, but only if they serve a purpose. A good subplot should explore different facets of your theme, develop relationships that will be crucial in Act 3, or provide necessary context for your climax.

A common mistake is treating subplots as separate stories running parallel to the main plot. Instead, they should be woven into the primary narrative. Have your subplots intersect with and complicate the main plot. Give them their own mini-arcs with meaningful development.

If a subplot feels like filler (i.e. if you could remove it without affecting the ending) it needs to be cut or revised until it matters. To learn more about how to structure your plots and subplots, check out this guide on story structure.

Strategy 5: Deepen Character Through Consequence

The middle is where character transformation happens. Don't just show the "before" in Act 1 and the "after" in Act 3. Show the messy, difficult struggle of change itself.

Use the middle to test your character's beliefs and methods. Force them to make difficult choices with real consequences. Let them fail and learn to adapt. The middle should introduce internal conflicts that mirror the external plot, making readers care about both what happens and who your character becomes. Pay special attention to relationship arcs. Create fractures, unexpected alliances, and betrayals. Interpersonal conflict is a powerful engine for rising action. To learn more about using tension to keep readers invested, here's a handy guide to crafting tension in fiction.

Strategy 6: Master Pacing Techniques

Even with a strong structure, poor pacing can make a middle feel slow. Vary your scene length and intensity. Alternate high-tension scenes with quieter moments of reflection or planning. This creates a rhythm of tension, brief release, and then escalated tension.

End chapters with hook—questions, revelations, or decisions that compel readers to find out what happens next. And be prepared to cut. If a scene feels slow to you, it will be glacial for readers. Trim scenes by starting late and leaving early. Combine scenes that serve similar purposes.

Strategy 7: Track Progress with Structural Checkpoints

Using structural checkpoints can help ensure your middle is actually progressing. The classic "pinch points" method suggests two key moments in the middle:

• First pinch point (around the 3/8 mark): A reminder of the antagonistic force that shows readers what's at stake.
• Second pinch point (around the 5/8 mark): Pressure intensifies, options narrow, and the noose tightens around the protagonist.

Consider creating a scene-by-scene spreadsheet to track each scene's purpose, stakes, and contribution to character development. This can help you identify repetitive beats that can be cut or combined. Getting an objective view of your structure is critical, which is also where a tool like Inkshift can provide an instant, detailed analysis of your manuscript's pacing and plot progression.

Common Middle Pitfalls to Avoid

Watch out for these warning signs of a saggy middle:

• Repetitive conflict: The hero tries a plan, fails, tries a similar plan, and fails again.
• Circular conversations: Characters discuss the same issues without new information or insight.
• Travelogue syndrome: Detailed descriptions of journeys that do little to advance the plot or develop characters. Summarize the journey in a sentence or two and have them appear at the end. Your readers will thank you.
• Waiting for the climax: Treading water until you can get to the "good part" you've already planned.
• Overcomplicating: Introducing too many new characters or subplots instead of deepening the existing ones.

Conclusion

Your novel's middle is where you earn your ending. It's where deep character transformation and thematic resonance take root. A strong middle makes your climax feel satisfying and inevitable. Review your middle with these strategies in mind, and remember that tension isn't just about action—it's about unresolved questions and rising costs.

The middle is challenging for every writer, but it is also an opportunity. Give your readers a middle that rewards their attention, and they will race toward your ending, fully invested in the outcome.