The Yawning Chasm of the Middle

 
That’s why I outline my novels before I start writing them: Between the beginning and the end yawns the bottomless chasm of the middle, which must be filled–or at least bridged.
 
So I create a high-level, light-and-airy structure that uses what I know of the beginning and ending as its foundation.
 
Something like this:
 

Bristol Clifton Suspension Bridge
Photograph by this guy
 
If it weren’t for those scary middles, I wouldn’t spend a lot of time outlining. Short stories, for example, generally don’t have a huge, devouring chasm of a middle. So I just come up with the story touchstones I want to hit, and launch.
 
I’m currently outlining my next project, GoSH2, a sequel to New Fairy Moon. And, as you might have already guessed, I’m outlining my way through the middle right now.
 
I’ll see you on the other side! Hopefully.
 
-David
 
PS I should almost create a new blog topic: “David Whines About Writing Novel Middles”
 
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MiddlesNumber 5 is Alive!A Scenic Outlook on the Evolving Road Map