Tag: Write Your Novel from the Middle by James Scott Bell

What Could Be His Mirror Moment?

What could be his mirror moment?

I seem to be favoring older characters this month. Like last week, this was a photo in which the expression of the subject snatched my attention. What could be his mirror moment, the moment in the middle of a story in which the main character reflects on his identity and makes a decisions based on this consideration as described by James Scott Bell in his book, Write Your Novel from the Middle.

Since my mind revolves around crime, maybe this man is a career criminal, and he has an opportunity to go straight. Or reverse it. He’s always been honest, but he’s now desperately in need of money and sees a dishonest way to make it.

Or he’s a widower contemplating remarrying, an idea that he’s never considered before. Or he could be a wizard who hasn’t trained a student in years because of a tragic experience. He’s come across a gifted kid and must decide whether to take on his teaching role again.

How does this photo inspire you? Let me know in the comments!

For more writing prompts for the middle of a story, click here.

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Do You Like the Mirror Moment in Fiction?

Do you like the mirror moment in fiction?

Today’s prompt isn’t here to inspire a story but to inspire a conversation. Do you like the mirror moment in fiction? Since my theme is writing the middles of stories this month, I’m asking about the mirror moment because that’s where it occurs: in the middle. I learned about the plot point in James Scott Bell’s book Write Your Novel from the Middle, which I’ll review later this week.

The mirror moment is the point somewhere in the middle of the story where the main character reflects on what kind of person he or she is. The decision they make from that reflection fuels the rest of the plot. Once you know about it, you can pick it out of any movie or book that includes it. Of course, not every piece of fiction has a mirror moment. Not every story needs one. It depends on the story you’re telling.

So I’d like to hear from you. What’s your opinion of the mirror moment?

For writing prompts for the middle of stories, click here.

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What’s His Mirror Moment?

what's his mirror moment

My last prompt for the month with my theme of tackling the middle of our stories. What’s his mirror moment? What has made him question who he is in the middle of the story? For more on the mirror moment, click here. Below is my inspiration.

This power was getting out of a hand.

I shoved my hand through my hair and clamped it on top of my head.

What was I supposed to do with this superpower? I couldn’t use it for my own entertainment any more, not with what I’d learned in the cafeteria. But if I acted on the information, someone might ask me how I knew. I’d never lied enough to be good at it. And I’d have to lie if I didn’t want to become the main specimen at a secret government research facility.

I fell back against the wall of the empty room.

Or I could just pretend I didn’t know what was about to come off Saturday night? Couldn’t I?

Click here to find more prompts for the mirror moment.

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What’s the Mirror Moment?

what's the mirror moment

Today’s prompt is to inspire a mirror moment in the middle of a story. What’s the mirror moment? According to James Scott Bell in his book Writing Your Novel from the Middle, it’s the moment in the middle of a story when the main character (MC) decides who he or she truly is. I’d also say it’s a moment when the MC decides on an irrevocable course of action.

So how could this photo provide a mirror moment? The woman looks deep in thought. Why is she thinking in the middle of a bridge with a guitar? Here’s my inspiration.

The wood of the old bridge felt warm on my bare legs in the afternoon sunlight. I sat and strummed. Music had always been my refuge and my joy. When had it gotten so complicated? I was a songwriter, not a singer. I didn’t care if people loved the singer of my songs more than the writer. That wasn’t why I wrote them.

But Jake said he believed in me.

I plucked some notes. Sitting on this old bridge had inspired some of my best songs. Maybe it could inspire me to make up my mind.

For more mirror moment prompts, click here.

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Their Mirror Moment

Can a book have mirror moments for two main characters? I don’t see why not, especially if the two MC’s take turns telling the story. Click here to read more on what a mirror moment is.

What is their mirror moment? I see a rich-girl-poor-boy romance. ( I know the motorcycle is expensive, but I imagine the boy “borrowed” it from the garage where he works.) Maybe it’s when they must decide if they will conform to their social circle or dare to be different.

What do you imagine is their mirror moment?

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