Middles are hard for a lot of writers. In fact, CalRazor, you're right at the point that a lot of people I know bog down -- including established pros. They don't call it the 30K Wall for nothing....
Some tricks that have worked for me:
- Make sure you know where you're going. Whether you're an outliner or a pantser or somewhere in between, stop and think about what the next few chapters need to achieve, what ducks they need to get in a row so the end can happen properly, and whether you're currently pointed in that direction. I don't outline novels, but I often pause around chapter 7 or so (out of 15-ish, so right at the middle) and do at least a bullet-point outline of that one chapter just so I have intermediate targets to aim for.
- Take a break for a few days, and do something creative that isn't writing. Painting, music, whatever -- doesn't matter if you're any good at it, just give your brain a chance to play in some other medium. (Actually, this is a good trick at any point when you're flagging.) Then, get back to work!
- Remember what made you go "Oooh!" about writing this book in the first place. A nifty plot twist, a great setting, a fun character, doesn't matter what, just that it got you excited. Spend some time thinking about that, then once you're excited again, sit down and get that excitement onto the page.
- On a related note, some writers make a "
love list" of all the things that fill their hearts with glee about their book.
- Find a carrot that you can dangle in front of yourself, to write toward. It can be a big scene or something as small as a single line of dialogue that you're looking forward to writing. Concentrate on writing up to the point where you get to use that cool bit. Then, find another carrot, and repeat.
- Sometimes, you just gotta slog. Set yourself word count goals, bribe yourself with cookies, or whatever works to make you buckle down and get through this part. If you're like most writers, it
will get better as you get farther along.
Finishing things was always the big obstacle for me, too, so I do know where you're coming from, FWIW. Hang in there!