Word From KMW: One of many first writing lecturers I bear in mind studying from was James Scott Bell. After I began religiously studying the Author’s Digest journal as a younger author, Jim’s common column at all times spoke to me. He had a knack for naming high-concept concepts in a means that at all times felt accessible and practicable. Years later, it was an incredible honor to get to collaborate with him, as a colleague, in small methods, together with the occasional change of weblog posts. Through the years, I’ve returned to many craft ideas, however few have formed my understanding of story as deeply or as persistently as Jim’s thought of the mirror second in fiction.

In fiction, the mirror second is some extent—usually at or close to the story’s Midpoint—when characters are pressured right into a second of self-recognition. It isn’t merely a plot beat, however a reckoning: a pause within the ahead movement of the story during which characters should confront who they’re, what they’ve grow to be, and what the price of persevering with ahead might be.

What has at all times struck me about this second is how little it has to do with exterior spectacle and the way a lot it has to do with the character’s inner battle. Even because the plot escalates and the stakes rise, the mirror second pauses to ask, “Who am I keen to be from right here on out?” It’s a visible illustration of the Second of Reality I usually speak because the centerpiece of character arc.

The mirror second is such a visceral piece of symbolism. Usually, the visible symbolism of the story permits characters to truly have a look at themselves—both in a literal mirror or in another intelligent means (resembling Don Lockwood, in Singin’ within the Rain, having to confront his personal dismal appearing on the film display screen).

Years in the past, Jim was variety sufficient to share a submit with me concerning the mirror second. It’s one I’ve personally considered and referenced numerous instances. It’s sensible in its exploration of how tales pivot each structurally and spiritually on the Midpoint. When writers perceive this second, the center of a narrative can cease feeling like a slog and begin feeling like the very best a part of the expertise.

As we speak, I assumed it was time to as soon as once more spotlight Jim’s ideas on the mirror second. In case you’ve ever struggled to articulate what the center of your story is definitely for, this piece affords a means to consider it that’s completely sensible.

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I wish to thank Katie for giving me some area right here to speak about my e book, Write Your Novel From the Center. Fairly than have her give you interview questions, I took that burden upon myself. The one drawback was, once I questioned myself, I tended to go on and on. I’ve thus mercifully lower this interview to the bone.

I sat down with myself on a sunny afternoon in Los Angeles. I discovered myself to be a bit distracted that day, however dogged former lawyer that I’m, I persevered.

What Is the Mirror Second?

Me: So what prompted Write Your Novel From the Center?

JSB: It was a discovery I made a few years in the past, about one thing I name the “mirror second.” I’ve written this e book to elucidate not solely what that second is, however use it to put in writing higher novels. And screenplays, for that matter.

Why the True Midpoint Is a Second, Not a Scene

Me: Are you able to be a little bit extra particular about this “mirror second”?

JSB: Sure, I can.

Me: Properly?

JSB: Ah, okay. There are fairly just a few writing lecturers who speak concerning the Midpoint, a scene within the structural center of the novel that does an additional one thing. Solely I used to be by no means clear on what that factor was, as a result of there’s conflicting recommendation on it, and a few of it’s obscure. So I set about to see if I used to be lacking something. I took just a few of my favourite films and went to the precise center of the movies. Then I went to a few of my favourite novels and did the identical. What I discovered excited the heck out of me.

Me: Did you ever get the heck again in?

JSB: Not even shut. What I discovered, to my utter delight and pleasure, was that the true Midpoint isn’t a scene in any respect, however a second inside the scene. And never solely that, this second revealed the very coronary heart of the story.

The Character’s Second of Self-Recognition

Me: How so?

JSB: The character is pressured to take a look at himself. As if in a mirror, solely it’s a mirrored image of who he’s at that second in time.

Who am I?

What have I grow to be?

What do I’ve to do to regain my humanity?

Generally, it’s the character trying on the odds.

How can I probably win?

It appears like I’m going to die—bodily or spiritually.

Now what am I speculated to do?

Examples of the Mirror Second in Tales

Me: Are you able to give us an instance?

JSB: I’ll provide you with two. In the course of Gone With the Wind, Scarlett appears at herself and wonders what’s going to grow to be of her and Tara. What should she do to save lots of her lifestyle? She makes the choice proper there that she is going to do no matter it takes. She turns into a doer, not a sufferer.

In the course of The Starvation Video games, Katniss accepts that she’s going die. She states it plainly, proper in the midst of the e book. She prepares herself for dying, however then will get an opportunity to struggle on.

Me: Fascinating. Some other examples?

JSB: Strive Dying.

Me: Good self-promotion.

JSB: Actually, I used to be stunned to seek out it, as a result of I had not but formulated the “mirror second” thought once I wrote the e book.

Me: So how did it get there?

JSB: All I can say is it will need to have been intuition. Which might be how Margaret Mitchell and Suzanne Collins did it, too. What Write Your Novel From the Center is doing is popping open the hood and exhibiting writers how they are often intentional about it.

Me: Ought to a author know what this second is earlier than starting to put in writing?

JSB: It helps enormously, as a result of realizing this second illuminates the whole e book you’re attempting to put in writing. It’s the deep tissue of the story, which many writers don’t uncover till a lot later, typically after the e book is printed.

How the Mirror Second Helps Plotters and Pantsers

Me: You make the declare that this methodology of yours will carry peace to a longstanding feud—that between plotters and pantsers. So again that up, please.

JSB: Certain. The Write From the Center Methodology is highly effective as a result of it may be used at any level within the writing course of. In case you’re a pantser, and also you wish to write with no plan, you’ll be able to wait some time earlier than brainstorming the mirror second. However then, when you do understand it, your pantsing can have a spotlight you’ll be delighted with.

A pantser might additionally begin with a mirror second “out of the blue,” after which write a complete novel round it.

Plotters will love the mirror second as a result of they often have a great construction arrange, however don’t at all times know the deep, inside story for his or her primary character. The mirror second offers it to them. Planning scenes will get a lot simpler because of this.

Utilizing the Mirror Second in Your Writing Course of

Me: Have you ever discovered this to be true in your individual writing?

JSB: Completely. Ever since I found the mirror second, it has grow to be an absolute important for me. For instance, once I’m simply beginning to plan a narrative, once I’ve given thought to my LOCK components, I—

Me: What’s LOCK once more?

JSB: Why are you asking me? We got here up with it.

Me: For the good thing about the readers.

JSB: Ah. LOCK stands for Lead, Goal, Confrontation, and Knockout. That grew to become the idea of my e book, Plot & Construction.

Me: Good self-promotion once more.

JSB: You requested the query!

Me: Okay, go on with what you had been saying.

JSB: I like to put out my LOCK components first. That’s once I know I at the very least have a plot. However then I am going proper to that mirror second. I brainstorm it. I give you a number of prospects, and invariably one among them simply appears proper. It illuminates the whole narrative. That’s once I’m prepared to put in writing.

Me: The rest about this e book we must always know?

JSB: Simply that I’ve included a piece with additional tips about writing the novel. Serving to fellow writers is likely one of the issues I get pleasure from most.

Me: Properly, that about does ‘er. Wraps ‘er all up.

JSB: You’re quoting The Huge Lebowski, after all.

Me: After all. Sometime I wish to have Sam Elliott’s voice.

JSB: Good luck with that.

Me: And good luck with the brand new e book.

JSB: Thanks. It’s been a pleasure.

Me: We should always do that extra usually!

JSB: I, um, need to go now.

Inform us your opinions! Are you able to establish the mirror second in the midst of your story? Inform us within the feedback!