Filling Empty Space

[Emma]

I have a plot for my novel, a historical fiction set in 1470s Florence. Between two points in time, the beginning of winter and the beginning of the spring, I have a lot if empty space that I don't know what to do with.

It's sort of a mystery, my main character is looking to uncover the truth about Dante Alighieri's exile, which leads him to discover a cover up and some other stuff. But before finding the second point and the last point, I have nothing. Any suggestions?

Oh - there's a love interest (sort of), there's artists and poets to deal with. But I'm missing the extra points.

[Sarah]

Love rivals, sword duels to the death, the odd poisoned victim of unrequited love, an eye for an eye a tooth for a tooth. Rape, pillage, blame everything on Nostradamus like predictions of doom, gloom and despondancy or a ride in Leonardo de Vinci's famous helicopter, time travel you name it you can use it. Blame it on the church, the pope, the Knights Templar pick a couple of scenarios and let your mind run the gauntlet which is a neat idea for a title.

Most of all have fun!

[Dorette]

In between, well, yes, lots can happen - but what is it that your heroine wants? What is her inner problem to be resolved and around which her arc can be built? Without that the rest is less compelling.

[Sybil]

Emma don't just look for things to fill spaces it will sound insincere better to skip over it "Winter passed into Spring....." Just keep it interesting otherwise winter could be a dead bore.