You began with high hopes.

You envisioned a bestseller, imagined touring the country and meeting thousands of fans, even your own fawning relatives.

But now you’re stuck and wondering whether you should’ve even tried in the first place.

Maybe you ran out of story and have no idea how to salvage the mess you’ve created.

Self-doubt crept in, telling you your novel was no longer worth the effort.

As the author of 195 books, I can tell you you’re not alone. What I call the Marathon of the Middle—yes, that roughly half of your manuscript between your great opener and resounding closer—is one of the toughest challenges I face too—every time.

But in truth, everything about writing a book is hard.

If you’re on the verge of quitting for any of the reasons above—or myriad others, here are four things you can do:

1. Add Conflict

When my story stalls, it almost always needs conflict, what experts call the engine of fiction. Have your characters become too agreeable?

In real life, I love pleasant conversations, getting along with everyone. But in a novel, I look for undercurrents of opposition, tension, deceit, self-possession in every line.

Ask yourself:

What problems can I create for my characters?

Better yet:

What problems can my characters create for themselves?

Conflict doesn’t have to be loud or physical. It can be as subtle as a snide comment.

“Think you can hold it together at Christmas this year?”

The question is delivered from brother to sister with the requisite smile, your character pretending to be pleasant or perhaps teasing. But we identify with the sister, don’t we, and we’re insulted.

Maybe she smiles too and says flatly, “That depends.”

You see? Just dialogue, no action, but a scene fraught with conflict. Look at all those setups that demand payoffs. What was he implying? What must have happened last year? And what was she implying? It depends on what?

All of a sudden that story percolates. Merely banal greetings would have had us nodding off. But now we’ve been set up and anticipate more to come.

2. Face Your Fear

By now you know novel writing demands discipline. We all get discouraged along the way. But don’t quit! Soldier on! If it were easy, anyone could do it.

Afraid of failing? Quitting guarantees it.

Afraid you’re not good enough? That your story doesn’t work? You’re probably right! But don’t use fear as an excuse to quit.

Rather, use that fear to motivate you to do your best work. I’ve learned to embrace those fears, because they’re valid! Even with my experience, I know the competition is fierce and that other authors likely have better ideas. But there is something I can guarantee: no one will outwork me.

Are you with me?

3. Constantly Review

Read through what you’ve written and ask yourself:

• What works?
• What doesn’t?
• Which passages do you love?
• Where does your story stall?

Be brutally honest with yourself so you can aggressively, even ferociously, self-edit to where you’re happy with every word.

4. Trust Your Gut

Whatever you feel about your story your reader will feel 10 times over. I call this Reader Multiplication Syndrome.

If you’re worried a scene might fail to keep readers interested, you’re right.  Attack and rewrite it till it works.

If you do dump a scene or even an entire manuscript, start a new one right away. You’re not quitting. You’re treating that misfire as valuable training.

I always feel like quitting at some point in the writing. It’s part of the process, an eye-opening obstacle I’ve learned to push through. You can too.

What Makes a Successful Author?

Finishing.

Just about anyone can start writing a novel. Precious few complete one.

Roll up your sleeves, get your seat in that chair, push through the Marathon of the Middle, and finish. You can do this!

If you’re looking for help writing a novel, I created an in-depth guide you can access by clicking here.

Wordplayers, tell me your opinions! Where are you with your work-in-progress? Tell me in comments!