Unlocking Your Story’s Midpoint

Live attendance is not required: enrollees can watch the recording at any time after the workshop!

The midpoint of your story is one of its most important beats, because a midpoint that fails to hold your reader’s attention and scale the plot up to a moving climax will make your reader put your book down forever. What your characters realize and decide in this moment will chart their course directly to the conclusion. Therefore avoiding a sagging middle is one of your most important tasks as a writer!

How do you create and maintain enough tension and conflict to keep your reader interested, after they’ve already made their way through the beginning of the story? How do you make the midpoint the focal point, while simultaneously keeping a tight pace and not overshadowing the climax?

Join author, developmental editor, and book coach Jacquelin Cangro in this in-depth workshop that will show you proven methods for unlocking the power of a solid midpoint that will draw your readers inevitably towards a gripping finish.

You’ll learn techniques for creating an engaging and compelling midpoint, how the midpoint relates to and augments the other beats of your story, and how your protagonist’s decisions and actions in this moment will lift the second half of the story. Plus, Jacquelin will debunk the myths about midpoints, and discuss recommendations you can apply to make sure your midpoint earns its place as the centerpiece of your story.

Jacquelin has spent twenty years at Random House and Simon & Schuster—this is a unique chance to learn from an industry insider with decades of experience. Don’t let your book fall victim to a sagging midpoint!

Zoom schedule

Everyone enrolled in this webinar will receive a copy of the recording afterwards, so you can review it later in case you missed it.

• Saturday June 8, 2024 1:00pm US Central time — 2 hours

How this workshop works

This workshop is a live Zoom webinar. Sign in from anywhere in the world and participate live as the instructor conducts the workshop, with time for Q&A at the end.

Student praise for Jacquelin Cangro

Jackie’s enthusiasm, energy and humor made the class a pleasure; she was fun to spend time with.

Excellent. Jackie’s exercises were really helpful. I felt that this one class pushed my novel forward more than any class I’ve ever taken. And she was so kind and fun to listen to.

Class was a solid A. Jackie knows her subject and presented it so well and in a perfect sequence. Jackie addressed all questions and [the class] was managed better than any remote class I have had. Excellent instructor. Will take more of her classes.

Excellent! Jackie taught this class very well with loads of useful information for a beginning writer. I enjoyed her teaching style since she’s very kind, patient, inclusive, thorough, supportive, and thoughtful. Jackie’s responses to my questions were always quick and appreciated. Great teacher, great class!

Questions about this class?

We’re happy to answer any questions you might have!

• Contact us and a real person will get back to you ASAP.

About Jacquelin Cangro

With more than twenty years of experience at Penguin Random House and Simon & Schuster, Jacquelin Cangro is a seasoned developmental editor, creative writing instructor, and book coach. She provides guidance, feedback, and accountability for dedicated fiction and narrative nonfiction writers. Learn more at jacquelincangro.com.