I now have (what I consider) to be a fantabulous, powerful ending, which comes hot on the heels of (I think) an emotive, strong middle and a start that (I think) has a lot of intrigue and potential...

But I am 40K short of a complete novel and, right now, I am really struggling to see how to fill the gaps. It's like I've used up all the story lines except for the main one that ties the beginning to the middle to the end. Right now, I'm reduced to randomly exploring minor characters for undiscovered plot lines... but am really worried this will appear as it is - a contrived way to fill the hole.

Will keep plugging away until I come up with something... hoping it doesn't mean I have to reorganise absolutely everything. Anybody else found good places to look in this situation?

G

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ps: To be clear, the 40K is a real hole and not just a short novel - there is stuff that has to happen for the main story line to get between start and middle, middle and end, stuff that I haven't written, but it needs to be wrapped in something...

A mate of mine says that when she's stuck she goes back to her themes and asks what she could do to bring them out more.
She writes really hard core, violent crime stuff with loads of action and yet the central issues deal with betrayal, or greed etc.
If she's stuck and says how can I write more about betrayal then something should come up.
Just a suggestion.
I always plan so I have a blueprint before I set off...it would terrify me to get so far into a project and not know what's going to happen.
HB x

I find the answers are usually waiting in the already written chapters. Often there is a small section that is more chapter overview than real narrative, which can be expanded into a scene or chapter or sub-plot in it's own right.

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Right now, I'm reduced to randomly exploring minor characters for undiscovered plot lines... but am really worried this will appear as it is - a contrived way to fill the hole.

I'm reading the middle of Jasper Fforde's The Big Over Easy, which is a Crime novel (albeit a parody), and he seems to be doing this. All the characters mentioned in the opening chapters are now getting a chapter or scene each with the mc.

I always plan so I have a blueprint before I set off...it would terrify me to get so far into a project and not know what's going to happen.

I know what's going to happen (my last page is a killer). I just underestimated the amount of stuff to underpin all of that so what happens now is the problem.

Part of it, I suspect, is motivational as the bits I have written are intense whereas the bits I can think of to go between feel quite pedestrian by comparison.
G

I meant I know what will happen in each chapter not just the end.
Maybe just best to plod through this bit - not worry about if it's as intense/good etc as previous bits - just to gte to the end. Then see if anything can be doen to improve this part.
HB x

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So ye -er...just chip away.

I meant I know what will happen in each chapter not just the end.

That's frightening!

To me, that feels like moving the decisions back to a point where I simply do not know enough to begin - I could be stuck at novel planning stage for longer than it takes to write the whole damned thing.

I considered it a break-through the first time I could write an entire synopsis (which happened a few chapters before the end of draft 1 and about 5000 words in for the current draft... but has subsequently been outdated on a number of occasions).

But the gist of the last page has remained the same now since day 1 and the main story has been pretty constant for a long while too.

Still chipping...

G

Part of it, I suspect, is motivational as the bits I have written are intense whereas the bits I can think of to go between feel quite pedestrian by comparison.

It sounds like you're viewing the beginning, middle and end as big, solid stepping stones, and the only purpose for the gaps is to jump over them. Try to find interest in the gaps, make them something worth hanging around for (easier said than done). I assume your mc will go through transitions - perhaps the gaps could be filled with smaller incidents that can either a. contribute to this change, or b. make subtle signals that a change is occurring.

The gaps might not be big emotional pullers, cliff hangers or jaw-dropping revelations, but they could be an opportunity to let your reader explore the world or indulge in the characters you've created in a little more depth. Could more be said about the culture, religion, history etc?

If it were me I'd write a list of the things that I enjoy most about the WIP and then choose areas to develop; all very self-gratuitous, but maybe something will come from it.

Joolz.

It sounds like you're viewing the beginning, middle and end as big, solid stepping stones

Well, yes. Essentially, they are the MC's story and everything else is the setup to it.

I'd write a list of the things that I enjoy most about the WIP and then choose areas to develop

Hmm. It took me a month to get out of one particular plot cul-de-sac because I was having so much fun there! I'm worried I've already done all the cherry-picking, but it gives me somewhere to start, so thanks.

Could more be said about the culture, religion, history etc?

Almost everyone who has read my WIP has mentioned the bits I leave out, so, yes, there is definitely scope for expansion ... but I'm reluctant to lose the edginess of uncertainty that (I think) has developed. And adding it in for the sake of it could be info-dumpy. But if I work a bit on who it affects the most, I think this is one way to go.

Thanks,
G

Well, yes. Essentially, they are the MC's story and everything else is the setup to it.

Lol, yes, I know, I was stating the obvious. What I mean is, just because it's the meta-plot, it doesn't necessarily mean that it needs to have more importance or value than other areas of the story. I guess it is all about perspective.

What I mean is, just because it's the meta-plot, it doesn't necessarily mean that it needs to have more importance or value than other areas of the story

Back to my own motivation. The bits I've written are the bits that turn me on and excite me. Now I have to try to develop an interest in some of the other stuff for my readers' benefit...

You're right, of course, and actually this thread has been a fantastic help already!

Just need to put my head down and do some of it.

Cheers, greatly appreciated,

G

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Try to find interest in the gaps

Precisely.

Write a 40k thematically linked sub plot and weave it in. That way you can give breathers between the big. central aspects of your main plot without dipping its pace by blathering on about stuff your heart isn't fixed on.

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Meant to put a ? at end of first sentence. A suggestion not an instruction!

Now that's a thought...

Wot Cherys said? It can work better to introduce a whole new element, than just trying to pump up what's there in a small way.

Emma

If you're bored at the thought of writing these new bits, your reader will be bored reading them. Write what excites you. Think of scenes that really speak to you. Before you go to bed, think about crazy, wonderful, strange scenes for your characters then write them.

think about crazy, wonderful, strange scenes for your characters then write them.

I agree with you in principle, but if I had had any more of those, I maybe wouldn't have started the thread!

But, thanks, I think I'm onto something now.