> On a mildly related topic, would you know of any sources for information on how to fill in the middles of stories? I can usually come up with a background history and an ending, but the transition and introduction always seem to escape me.

Can't name a resource off the top of my head, but I can give you a bit of advice:

Subplots, subplots, subplots, and complications.

If you're trying to 'pad' a story, or just want something to happen before you get ready to write the conclusion, get your protagonists sidetracked. Have something happen that diverts them from the main drive of the plot, maybe use it as a method of drawing out a little more character depth for some of the less prominent characters...try to tie it into the overall thrust of the story if possible, but if not, at least make it look like it belongs...I've seen a lot of films and novels pull random subplots out of thin air that didn't make sense, purely for the purpose of padding a plodding plot. (Whoa, alliteration.)

In short, subplots can be your friend, or your worst enemy, so do be careful in using them...but if used properly, subplots can not only serve to provide a comfortable middle environment for the story, allowing for extra character development and more room to develop the conclusion of the story so that it doesn't rush in all at once.

Complications offer the same advantages as subplots, with the difference being that complications are by definition tied directly into the main thrust of the plot.

Let's take, as an example:

Ted and Jim are in the mountains skiing, and their wives Jan and Joy are at their cabin. They're spending the winter there, even though they should be back in the city because Joy is pregnant and expecting soon. There's a hospital in the town they're vacationing in, so they're not worried about that.

They find out a major winter storm is approaching, and can't decide whether to stay at the cabin, or try to leave town and risk complications with Joy and the baby. Jim gets a call on his cel phone--Joy's having contractions. The two men are at the top of the mountain, the lift just broke down, everyone who's up has to ski down.

They start down the mountain, and get caught in a sudden snowstorm. They keep moving, but Ted goes down and breaks his leg. He tells Jim to keep going, but Jim won't leave him, so he carries Ted to a cave to wait out the storm. Just when they think it's about to end and they can attempt to continue onward, the cave is blocked in by an avalanche.

There's a beginning, a plot, and numerous complications--a storm, a broken leg, and an avalanche. Admittedly, this'd be a pretty boring, Reader's Digest-esque thing to read, but...hey. it's an example.

Anyway, the middle of a story is all about subplots, character development, and complications. Keep that in mind, and you'll do fine.

-Trunks