The Muddy (and Muddier) Middle

When the sand in the sandbox turns into quicksand

I was recently asked whether it’s more difficult to write the beginning or the ending of a novel. My answer? Neither. The most difficult part of a novel to write is the middle — popularly known as the “muddy middle,” or just the “muddle.”

When you’re writing the beginning of your novel, your words tend to flow to the glowing enchantment of your novel idea — a momentum sparked by the excitement of pursuing a shiny new idea and exploring new worlds. Then, one day, you’re likely to hit a slow patch, and then another slow patch, and then … you might find yourself stuck — and perhaps even sinking.

Part of what creates the mud of the muddy middle is self-doubt. It’s easy to not only question your novel idea, but to question yourself as a writer (and perhaps even as a human being). Remember this: Every writer hits patches like this — even your favorite writer — so you’re not alone.

When your words enter such swampy territory, it’s easy to concede victory to those naysaying voices in your head pulling you ever deeper into these perilous moors. And sometimes defeat can seem strangely comforting. It’s easy to drop onto those fluffy pillows of complacency where you expect little of yourself, and perhaps little of life.