The unfinished novel

It is easy to start, they say.

I agree.

It is hard to finish, they say.

I agree.

What prevents you finishing, they ask.

The story doesn’t work. I got stuck in the middle.

Ah! The middle. That bit tha connects the beginning and the end.

Yes. You know about it.

Indeed. It is like a swamp; a quagmire to suck you in where your words sink and cease to be.

You’ve experienced it then?

Sure. Until you learn to build a bridge over the swamp, you won’t reach your destination.

How do I do that? There’s nothing but mud beneath the surface.

Well, yes. But you must try. Put down pillars to support the bridge.

Gosh. And how much will this cost?

About two thirds of your story, I guess. It varies a bit, though. Maybe you can be economical with the words you use to make your pillars. You know, edit well.

Two thirds! And it’s all just to provide a bridge between the beginning and the end.

That’s right. Just pick up a book and you’ll see how much of it is this bridge building. Without it, you won’t finish your novel.

The way you put it, I have to construct this bridge with my words.

That’s right. Just start tapping on the keyboard and soon you’ll find you’re over the swamp and heading for the end.