Executing a Compelling
Story Midpoint
By Mary Kole
Mary Kole is a former literary agent, freelance editor, writing teacher, author of Writing Irresistible Kidlit, and IP developer for major publishers, with over a decade in the publishing industry.
One of the most crucial parts of your story idea is the midpoint. It’s not the inciting incident, and it doesn’t have to be the story climax. In fact, the midpoint is a more subtle yet transformational make-or-break in your novel outline that many creative writers aren’t using to its full potential. The midpoint is not merely your story's heart, but also the backbone that connects everything and strengthens the flow of your theme and narrative. A well-crafted midpoint enhances all of the elements of your story, including character development, plot, and conflict. In this article, I’ll provide a detailed guide on the ingredients expected of a midpoint, as well as discussion of its importance. I’ll go over some of the common mistakes that writers make when they attempt to write the midpoint of a story structure. Keep reading to master the art of crafting an appealing midpoint to make your book idea stand out.
What Is a Story Midpoint?
The midpoint in a story is the turning point where the protagonist finally decides to change their course of action. In between the beginning and end of a story, the midpoint marks a significant moment that shifts the direction of the narrative and stimulates momentum that drives until the end. As a general rule, the midpoint occurs almost exactly halfway through a story, though it can sometimes happen closer to the two-thirds mark. The midpoint can be described as the wake-up call of the protagonist where they realize what is truly at stake whenever they pursue or fail to pursue their goal. They also often go from going after a character objective to becoming aware of their deep-seated character need. This is a turbulent time for them, and can be the crucible in which their character development is made.
What Role Does the Midpoint Play in a Narrative?
The midpoint is pivotal to a story because it increases the story's tension and provides a necessary plot twist that makes the audience more invested in the outcome. It also throws the character for a loop. They might walk away from the very thing they claimed to want, or change their character motivation. It's uncommon to have a character's journey go as planned in a good story. Writers need to challenge the protagonist, and the midpoint accomplishes this by placing story obstacles in their way. The significance of the midpoint is that it forces the protagonist to make a tough decision that they will have to stick with throughout the remainder of the story, especially as you build toward your climax and a final challenge from internal conflict or the antagonist.
Ingredients of a Compelling Story Midpoint
The ingredients of a story midpoint can vary significantly based on your genre expectations, the protagonist's character arc, and the type of story you're writing. Still, there are a few universal ingredients that every midpoint should have. First, it should be a critical moment of realization for the protagonist. Second, it should include subsequent changes in their plan, whether they have to make an unexpected pivot or a course-correction has been building for a while. Third, it should have significant consequences for the protagonist's character development, goals, and the story’s eventual satisfying resolution. Lastly, an excellent story midpoint will bring something new to the table, whether that is a fresh perspective from a secondary character, new information, or an unforeseen obstacle from the plot arc or a subplot.
Maximum Emotional Impact at the Midpoint
The essential ingredient for a good midpoint is the emotional impact it creates within the reader, generally by tracking character development via interiority. A strong midpoint can allow readers to connect with the characters on a more profound level. To execute a midpoint that will have a maximum emotional impact, you need to understand the audience's perspective. They are on the journey with the protagonist and require a reason to care. The midpoint must either provide a new opportunity for the protagonist to succeed or, on the other hand, thrust them into a more challenging situation where they’re closer to failure than ever before. Whatever you do, make it emotional and memorable, and make sure that you are working with a proactive protagonist who is pursuing their goal. If your main character has largely been along for the ride, this will become a big issue by the midpoint.
Character and Action Beats at the Midpoint
Beats are the emotional moments in your story when a character tries an approach to meet their goal in a conflict, and they are essential to creating a meaningful midpoint. When writing a story midpoint, it is crucial to include both character beats and action beats, strung together with cause and effect logic, to make the moment feel layered and complex. The character beats should be used to expand and deepen the character's transformation, whereas the action beats must make the audience feel like they are in the thick of events. You’ll have to determine the right balance of action and information for yourself and your genre. The right tension of these two beats will allow the audience to comprehend the protagonist's journey and internalize every aspect of the story.
Common Mistakes Made with Midpoints
Many writers make mistakes when crafting the midpoint in their story. One common error is failing to make the midpoint a true turning point by not providing enough catalyst for the protagonist's change, or throwing unrelated plot points at them without a lot of logic. Another mistake is making the midpoint too predictable, taking the reader out of the story and ruining any emotional resonance. A final misstep is forgetting the aftermath of the midpoint, failing to show, don’t tell how it affects the characters moving forward. They should really be demonstrating what they’ve learned, even if this causes them further pain and suffering, or they have to amplify the conflict and make a difficult decision. By avoiding these mistakes, you can create a midpoint that stands out, and hook your reader until the very end.
If you want to create a story that grabs your reader's attention and keeps them interested until the end, crafting an engaging midpoint is imperative. By understanding the importance of the midpoint and mastering the execution of it, you can take your story to the next level. Remember that each genre and story is unique, and a great midpoint should be tailored to that particular narrative. When crafted correctly, your midpoint can be the defining moment of your story and inspire your readers on the journey. Keep pushing through drafting and revision, and enjoy crafting the art of the midpoint.
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