Peggy Arthur

By Peggy Arthur

Greetings, writers and readers!

When it comes to the art of writing novels, there are countless methods. Some resonate, some don’t. Recently, I had the unique experience of not only reading Write Your Novel from the Middle by James Scott Bell but also attending a live Zoom session hosted by the Atlanta Writers Club, where Bell himself presented the method.

And let me tell you, it was worth it. 

A Funny Beginning

Here’s the funny part: I signed up for the Atlanta Writers Club Zoom call the week before…and completely forgot about it.

Fast forward to me researching different novel-writing methods one evening after work. I’m scrolling, taking notes, when suddenly James Scott Bell’s name pops up in a calendar reminder. My brain goes: Wait a minute. Aren’t I supposed to be in a meeting with this guy?

Cue panic. I immediately clicked into the meeting link and joined. Thankfully, I didn’t miss the entire meeting. And honestly, I got just what I needed out of the call. 

Zoom First, Book Second

Listening to Bell talk through the method live, alongside other writers, before reading the book turned out to be a blessing. It gave me a preview, almost like a roadmap, of what to expect. By the time I sat down with the (short) book, I already had the big picture. That made it easier to focus in on the details I needed most to fine-tune my own writing process.

The Psychological Hook

As a psychology major from Tuskegee University, I immediately understood the power of Bell’s approach. The idea of the mirror moment isn’t just about story mechanics, it’s deeply psychological.

The mirror moment is the point in the middle of a story where the character must face themselves. They wrestle with who they are versus who they need to become. On one side is the pre-psychology (their old self), and on the other is the moment of truth (the transformation they must embrace).

That clicked for me right away because I’ve rooted The Pretender’s Game in the Heroine’s Journey structure. This journey is meant to do more than entertain, it should allow readers to experience an emotional and psychological transformation alongside the character. The goal isn’t just to watch change happen, but to feel it in a way that teaches, stretches, and lingers long after the last page.

What the Method Is All About

At its core, Bell’s method is about finding your story’s mirror moment, the pivotal point in the middle of the novel where the protagonist confronts themselves.

It’s not just a turning point for the plot, but a reflection point for the soul. Bell argues that if you can identify this moment early, it becomes your story’s compass, guiding both the beginning and the ending into a cohesive arc.

Why It Resonated with Me

Because I’m working within the Heroine’s Journey framework, I wanted to highlight the psychological obstacles my character must overcome. The mirror moment gave me an anchor for those struggles, something authentic and impactful.

It’s not about piling on conflict for the sake of drama. It’s about growth. It’s about making sure the reader sees themselves in the character’s reflection and leaves the story carrying something meaningful into their own life.

Putting the Method into Practice

Of course, it’s one thing to read about a method and another to use it.

During the joy (and occasional madness) of drafting my novel, I discovered an app called Plottr. While experimenting with it, I realized something surprising: what I had been calling Chapter 1 was closer to Chapter 5.

That meant I wasn’t really at the beginning at all; I was closer to the middle. So, I tested Bell’s middle-first approach. I built outward from that central point, expanding in both directions.

The result? Five, maybe six or more solid chapters. It was the most productive stretch I’d had in a long time.

This experiment showed me that Bell’s method isn’t just theory, it’s a practical tool for breaking through confusion, reshaping drafts, and discovering the true heart of a story.

✨ Tools That Helped: Plottr

Alongside Bell’s method, I found Plottr to be a powerful tool for organizing chapters visually. It showed me immediately how my scenes fit together and more importantly, where they didn’t.

Together, Bell’s method and Plottr gave me structure, clarity, and forward momentum I hadn’t felt in a while.

Final Thoughts

If you’re a writer searching for structure without getting bogged down in endless outlining, Plottr might be worth exploring. And if you’re struggling to find the emotional heart of your story, Bell’s Write Your Novel from the Middle is absolutely worth a read. This review touches on the concept of the “mirror moment,” but for the full depth of Bell’s method I recommend reading the book yourself. It’s a short, practical guide that goes much deeper than I could cover here.

Whether you pick up the book or get the chance to hear him present (like I did with the Atlanta Writers Club), you’ll walk away with a perspective on storytelling that’s both practical and deeply human.

And yes, I’ll never forget the day I almost missed that Zoom call. Thankfully, the universe nudged me back on track.

✍🏾 Your Turn

Have you ever tried writing from the middle? Do you use Plottr, or another tool that helps you structure your story? Drop your thoughts in the comments. I’d love to hear how you find the heart of your own writing journey.

And if you enjoyed this post, don’t forget to subscribe so you can follow along as I share more insights from The Pretender’s Game and my writing process.

#AmWriting #WritingCommunity #StoryStructure #NovelWritingTips #WriteYourNovel #CreativeWriting #WritersJourney