After a review session with Team Eagle Eye, I decided to revisit the middle section of the book and consider possible enhancements to roughly 125 pages. This decision is not taken lightly and I approach the prospect with considerable trepidation. Obviously there is the risk of going overboard and writing a new draft. Out of the question.
For starters, the first 125 pages are tight and need very slight tweaks. The biggest problem: a few dropped words, the occasional awkward phrase. The last 75 pages are solid as well.
What’s lacking is sufficient connective tissue that makes sticking around a necessity. Basically the writing works given the content, but there could be more tension. To be blunt, the middle is weaker than what surrounds it.
So a revisit of the old index cards is in order. Break it out scene by scene, until a plan to even out the narrative foments.
Before I change a word, though, I’m going to see how the cards play. While it sounds like a big task, it might be a very minor amount of effort. I hope.