I was thinking about those writers out there who might have the same problem that I have when I am in the middle of the novel. I mean the beginning is tough but you know what needs to be done there; there needs to be some incredible lead in to hook the readers to the story. The end is a little easier but you have a clear idea of what to do there as well; you have to end the story on a happy note for your readers own sanity, or even better you have to leave the readers on the edge of their seats and ready for the sequel (assuming there will be one).
The middle is always a rough patch because there’s that sense of not really knowing what to do or if you want to shift the direction the story is taking. I mean you can’t keep throwing twists and turns in the story left and right the whole way through the story, it would just be too much. You also can’t have a persistent lull there the entire time either leaving readers wondering when the story is going to pick up again and become more interesting. The middle of the novel is that land of sketchy territory. Sometimes you’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t.
When you find you don’t know where to go in your story don’t be afraid to get some outside input. Share some of your story with your trusted few and get some ideas and suggestions from unbiased eyes. Perhaps you could even create a side short story for the not-so main characters to get your mind racing with ideas again. In creating your short story for the sub-characters you may even discover a whole other side to your main character(s). You might even come up with a whole other idea for another novel that focuses on one or more of your sub-characters from this novel.
Find ways to send your mind in other directions then the one you are going in. This could translate into a whole new angle and a solution to the problem of the dreaded middle of the novel. Whatever you do, don’t allow yourself to get stuck because after stuck there comes stalled and you don’t want an excuse to quit on this novel.
Jimmetta Carpenter
Writer/Editor
The Diary: Succession of Lies (Now Available)
Writing as “Jaycee Durant”
http://unpleasantlyplump.wordpress.com/
http://www.facebook.com/people/Jimmetta-Carpenter/1069480310
Write 2 Be 
Agreed, the middle is always a tricky part to write. You know the beginning and end, it’s just writing the bit in between which is tough for me.
Great post! Good luck! 🙂 I’m doing NaNo too! If you want to add me as a buddy I’m: LifeofaThinker
Nice blog you’ve got here! I’ll be sure to follow! 🙂