Mid-Book Rescue

CJ Ives Lopez

1 week ago

Mid-Book Rescue: How to Get Unstuck When Your Story Hits a Wall

We’ve all been there—charging ahead with a brilliant book idea, words flowing, characters leaping off the page—and then bam… the middle hits like a brick wall. The dreaded middle slump. Suddenly, your brilliant beginning feels like a distant dream and your ending seems miles away.

If that’s you right now, breathe. You’re not alone, and this is totally normal. In fact, it’s such a common part of the writing journey that we’ve named it: The Mid-Book Rescue. And today, we’re throwing you a lifeline.

Why Does the Midpoint Feel So Hard?

The middle of your novel is where things get real. It’s the bridge between setup and payoff, where your characters are challenged, secrets begin to unfold, and your pacing needs to hold strong.

But it’s also where writers often:

Lose sight of the story’s core theme or direction
Struggle with plot progression or character motivation
Burn out from the excitement of the beginning fading

So how do you get back on track?

The Mid-Book Rescue Toolkit

1. Reconnect With Your “Why”

Why did you start writing this story in the first place? What message or emotion do you want your readers to walk away with? Revisit your why and let it guide the choices you make from here on.

2. Use the Mid-Book Rescue Worksheet

To make things easier, we’ve created a downloadable worksheet you can fill out when you’re feeling stuck. It helps you re-evaluate key story elements like:

Character motivation
Conflict and stakes
Story structure

Download the Worksheet Here

3. Zoom Out and Reassess

Take a step back and look at the story from a bird’s eye view. Ask yourself:

What does my character want at this point?
What stands in their way?
Am I repeating plot points or dragging things out?

Sometimes you’re not stuck—you’re just writing around the problem instead of through it.

4. Throw in a Twist

If things feel stagnant, stir the pot! A betrayal, a ticking clock, or an unexpected discovery can jolt your story (and your inspiration) back to life. Midpoints are great places for surprises.

5. Embrace the Mess

Your first draft isn’t meant to be perfect. It’s meant to be written. Give yourself grace. You can clean up pacing, deepen emotional beats, or shift structure in revisions. Right now, just get the story down.

You’re Not Alone

Writing is hard. Writing a book is even harder. But when you hit that wall, remember this: every author—yes, even the greats—have wanted to walk away halfway through. What matters is that you don’t.

You’ve got this. You’re telling a story that matters.

And if you ever feel like shouting into the void, you know where to find me—@CJivesLopez on socials, or hit reply on the newsletter. I’ll be right here cheering you on.

?? Until next time, CJ