The saggy middle

The saggy middle

I’m always so excited to get started with a new project. I love exploring whatever conundrum I’ve thought of. And I usually know where it’ll end up. But what do I do between the inception of the idea, the conflict and the end, the resolution?

Enter: The saggy middle.

If you know, you know. But if you don’t: A ‘saggy middle’ refers to the part of a story, usually the second act, where momentum slows, tension wanes and the narrative feels aimless or repetitive.

To prevent it, I’ve been told, writers must keep stakes high, introduce twists and deepen character development.

Yeah, sure, but how? I just want to get to the crucial scene! The climax, please!

OK, so this is what I’ve been told should fix the saggy middle:

1. Reinforce your character’s goal, motivation, conflict

  • Ensure the protagonist has a clear goal/ motivation

  • Introduce new obstacles that challenge their progress

  • Revisit/escalate internal/external conflicts

2. Introduce a midpoint twist/crisis

  • This is a pivotal moment that changes the direction of the story

  • Examples:

    • A betrayal by a trusted ally

    • A revelation that shifts protagonist’s understanding

    • A new antagonist or complication emerges

3. Raise the stakes

  • Make consequences of failure more urgent or personal

  • Ask: What happens if the protagonist fails? Then make that outcome worse

4. Add a setback

  • Let something go wrong – badly!

  • A failed plan, a moral compromise or loss can reignite tension and reader investment

5. Deepen character arcs

  • Use the middle to explore internal dilemmas, backstory or emotional growth

  • Let characters make mistakes or face moral ambiguity

6. Introduce a subplot or secondary character arc

  • A well-timed subplot can mirror or contrast the main arc, adding texture and momentum

 

Here are some examples from genre literature:

1. The detective story that lost urgency

Saggy middle symptom:
In a crime novel, the detective spends several chapters chasing vague leads and interviewing minor characters. The tension fizzles and the plot feels like it’s circling without progress.

Fix:
Introduce a midpoint twist: the killer abducts someone close to the detective, creating a 48-hour deadline. This raises the stakes dramatically and gives the protagonist a renewed sense of urgency and emotional investment.

 

2. The romance that stalled on the meadow

Saggy middle symptom:
In a contemporary rural romance, the couple’s relationship plateaus. They flirt and argue, but nothing meaningful changes.

Fix:
Add a mini-sequence: a weekend trip that takes the characters away from the rural setting. This tests their relationship under pressure, reveals hidden motivations and shifts the emotional dynamics. It also gives the story a fresh setting and pace.

 

3. The fantasy quest that wandered

Saggy middle symptom:
In a fantasy novel, the hero’s journey through the enchanted forest becomes repetitive. Encounters with magical creatures feel episodic and don’t build towards anything.

Fix:
Clarify the story’s throughline: the protagonist’s internal arc of learning to trust others. Introduce a betrayal by a companion at the midpoint, forcing the hero to confront their fear of vulnerability. This emotional shift gives the journey new meaning and direction.

 

This post is mostly based on information and advice I gathered from:


The History Quill – Five ways to fix a sagging middle
Aspiring Writer Academy – How to Write the Midpoint
Writers in the Storm – Avoid a Saggy Middle

 

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