“Mastering The Middle” Edition
Writers love beginnings.
Endings can sparkle.
But the middle?
That’s where stories bog down, pacing drags, and motivation fizzles.
Sound familiar?
If this is you, you’re not broken. You’re not alone.
You just need a process.
This September, I’ll guide you, step by step, through writing and finishing a story by mastering the middle.
The “murky middle” is where most writers give up.
Without a roadmap, you risk:
But when you understand the 3 (+1) key turning points that every middle needs, the path becomes clear. The middle isn’t a swamp — it’s the engine that drives your story.
That’s what you’ll practice in this easily-paced challenge.
Instead of dreading the middle, you’ll know how to keep readers hooked — and yourself motivated.
This isn’t about grinding through another draft.
It’s about building a scalable system for storytelling that works whether you’re writing a 2,000-word short story or a 90,000-word novel.
Each week builds on the last, so by the end of September you’ll not only have a completed story — you’ll own a process you can use again and again.
Along the way you’ll benefit from:
…guided opportunities to share insights, struggles, and wins with your fellow writers, so you never feel like you’re doing this alone.
…built-in pauses that help you practice patience, absorb what you’re learning, and develop the habits of a sustainable writing life.
Here’s the arc of your journey:
You get the story out of your head and onto the page. No more stalling. You’ll experience the freedom of having a full draft to work with.
You’ll stop fearing the middle by learning the 3 (+1) essential beats every story needs — in the right order — so your story carries tension and momentum all the way through.
Your middle comes alive. You’ll practice and lock in the turning points that keep readers hooked and give your story a clear spine.
You finish with intention. Together we’ll explore what release means for you—whether that’s sharing with your cohort, submitting, self-publishing, or simply declaring it done. You’ll also see how this process scales to longer works like novellas and novels.
You’ll have a completed story, a repeatable process, and the confidence to tackle any story — short or long.
This challenge runs live once a year, only in September.
If you’ve ever said:
…ask yourself: how many drafts have you abandoned already?
Don’t let another September slip away.
I’m Julie Duffy and I’ve led thousands of writers through StoryADay challenges.
My superpower is breaking down intimidating craft problems into daily steps that busy writers can actually do.
I’ll walk beside you all month—teaching, cheering, writing along, and showing you how to move from “stuck in the middle” to “finished and proud.”
By October 1, you could still be stuck with half-finished drafts…
Or you could be holding a complete story, proud of yourself, and equipped with a system you can use for every story you’ll ever write.
This is your chance to:
But remember: this challenge runs only in September — and once it begins, the doors close.
Say yes to yourself, your writing, and your stories today.
Just $97 — with a 7-Day, No-Questions-Asked Guarantee
reg $97 special: $67
(save $30)
You will have access to all course materials for 60 days
3 x writing dates during StoryADay Sept. Write with Julie Duffy and the StoryADay Superstars in our private Zoom room.
I want you to feel completely confident saying “yes” to yourself and your writing this September.
That’s why I offer a 7-day, no-questions-asked guarantee.
Try the One-Story September Challenge. Dive into the lessons, join the discussions, start writing. If after the first week you don’t feel like this is the right fit for you, just let me know and I’ll refund your $97—no hard feelings.
Because this isn’t about risk.
It’s about giving yourself permission to finish, grow, and finally master the middle of your stories.
The only thing you risk is staying stuck.
The only qualification to be a ‘Superstar” is a desire to write and support your fellow writers.
A supportive group of committed writers, who meet virtually, support each other’s efforts, and inspire each other.
Registration for 2024 open now-June 8, 2024