Overcoming the Third-Act Slump:

Slowing Down Might Be the Fastest Way to a Stronger Ending

Strategies to Keep the Momentum Alive in the Latter Parts of Your Story

Now let's discuss the third act. That part of the narrative where everything is meant to come together, build to an exciting conclusion, and leave readers gasping—in a good way. But occasionally, our stories seem to sag rather than soar. The dreaded slump in the third act.

My own novels have been criticized for the opposite happening—moving too fast. Yes, I acknowledge there is too much happening. Action takes place. Then more occurs. Additionally, you might expect a character to take a moment to catch their breath, but they never do because the next crucial moment is already upon them. It is comparable to literary whiplash.

That seems like a nice thing to me. I thought I was supposed to keep those pages turning.

The fact is, though, that excessive speed can be just as confusing as little speed. It takes time for readers to feel. They require time to empathize with characters, consider the events that have transpired and look forward to what is ahead. The constant rushing around may make them feel disengaged and, to be honest, a little worn out.

Embrace the Power of Reflection.

Not every scene needs to have a plot surprise, lots of action, or clever banter. Sometimes the most impactful scenes are the silent ones, where a character is by themself, reflecting on their past actions or impending actions, and asking themselves difficult questions.. These “mirror moments,” as some writers call them, are essential. They ground the story emotionally. They let readers breathe and deepen their investment in your characters.

And yes, even sex scenes carry more weight when you’ve built up emotional stakes beforehand. Give your characters something to think about, not just something to do.

Trust Your Readers (They’re Smart)

Another thing I’ve learned the hard way: I don’t need to spell out every little thing. Readers are intuitive. In fact, they like putting the pieces together. A bit of subtext here, a lingering glance there—these things can carry just as much weight as a monologue.

Let your readers do a little of the work. That’s part of the magic. Not every answer needs to be given right away. Not every plot line needs a tidy bow.

Rethink Your Use of Cliffhangers

I used to write serial fiction and was used to ending scenes and chapters with cliffhangers. I had to break myself of this. Try something more subdued instead. A silent awakening. An eerie query. A change in feeling. These can be just as good, if not more so, at holding the reader's attention without emotinally tiring the reader.

Use Foreshadowing to Your Advantage

Do you want the third act to continue the momentum? Premonition. Sow seeds that will bloom later. Tease a larger reveal, build suspense, and drop clues. When things eventually come full circle, foreshadowing creates suspense, maintains the reader's emotional investment, and gives them that wonderful "I knew it!" sensation.

And the best part? It doesn’t require more action. It requires intention.

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Let the Story Breathe

I get bored easily. Maybe a few of you do too. But here’s the thing—just because we crave constant motion doesn’t mean our stories should sprint to the end. Let your characters pause, let them reflect. Let the tension simmer. Let the emotion settle in.

The third act shouldn’t just be about wrapping up loose ends. It should be the most earned part of the book—the payoff for everything your readers have invested in emotionally. Don’t be afraid to slow down to go deeper.

Your story—and your readers—will thank you.

If you suffer from either too much action or the other side of the coin, a very boring middle, I would suggest you read, write your Novel from the middle by James Scott Bell. An excellent novel. The author insists the best place to start writing your novel is from the middle. I’m still not sure about that, but I do believe editing from this point works well and his book definitely helped me when I first started writing.

Final Thought:

If you watched Rory McIlroy win the Masters on Sunday, you witnessed more than just a golf tournament—you saw a masterclass in resilience. His final round was a whirlwind: a terrible start, a thrilling comeback, another dip, a gutsy recovery, a near disaster, and finally, triumph. It was a roller coaster that played out in real time, and through it all, one lesson stood out: you can’t give up.

No matter what your goal is—in writing, in life, in anything—the path won’t be straight. But if you love what you do, keep showing up. keep swinging. That’s what winners do.

Have a great week writers!