13 July 2026·3 min read
When the book has no centre
Sometimes the scenes work on their own, but it’s harder to see how they belong together.
Try describing the main character’s situation in a sentence: what they want and what stands in the way.
Treat this as an exercise, not a test the book has to pass. If it’s difficult, look at the strongest scenes. What concern or conflict keeps returning?
Give the subject a particular shape
A broad subject such as grief or betrayal can take many forms in a story. What does it mean for this particular character?
A man who believes he can avoid grief by staying busy gives you something to explore through events and decisions. See whether that more specific question connects the scenes you already have.
Work backwards
If you know your main character’s final decision, work back from it. What made that choice possible or necessary?
You may find a connection to earlier scenes that can be brought forward more clearly.
Read more
These books explore the ideas in more detail, with examples you can try in your own work.
The Anatomy of Story · John Truby
An approach to structure through character, conflict and the ideas a story explores.
Save the Cat! Writes a Novel · Jessica Brody
A structured approach to planning a novel and reviewing its main turns.
Write Great Fiction: Plot & Structure · James Scott Bell
Practical ways to examine plot and structure when a draft feels stuck.
Writing the Breakout Novel · Donald Maass
An agent’s perspective on character, stakes and what keeps a story moving.
For feedback on your own draft, Karlove offers a letter with examples from your pages, reviewed by Aksel before it's sent.
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