S17:E27: 5 Ways to Keep the Story Moving Between the Big Moments

Helping Writers Become Authors

K.M. Weiland

Arts

4.8 • 1.1K Ratings

🗓️ 3 November 2025

⏱️ 26 minutes

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Summary

Do you ever feel stuck in the "in-between" sections of your story that come after one major plot point but before the next? You're not alone. Many writers can identify the big beats of their story's structure, but find the real challenge is connecting those plot points in a way that feels organic and alive.

In this episode, K.M. Weiland shares a powerful shift in perspective: learning to see your story not just as a list of beats or acts, but as eight connected sections, each one shaped by the turning point before it and driving toward the one ahead. You'll learn how to:

Build scene sequences instead of isolated scenes.
Use the Intent–Reaction–New Intent rhythm to maintain momentum.
Let each section take on its own thematic color to keep the story flowing.

Drawing examples from The Lion King, K.M. shows how the "in-between moments" are where character transformation truly unfolds. If you've ever felt your story sag between the big events, this episode will help you fill those spaces with purpose, emotion, and movement.

Find the full transcript here: https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/connect-plot-points-keep-story-moving

Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome to the Helping Writers Become Authors podcast. I'm K.M. Weiland, and I am here to take you
0:07.8	deep with story theory, writing techniques, and the incredible wisdom of story. I believe story is the
0:14.9	greatest power on this earth, and that as writers, we carry the torch of wielding that power with responsibility, passion,
0:23.6	and skill. There is no such thing as just a story. Today, it is my honor and my purpose to help
0:30.9	you write your best story, astound the world, and maybe change your life.
0:37.9	Hello and welcome.
0:39.9	You are listening to Season 17, Episode 28.
0:45.0	Many writers discover that connecting the plot points of a story is actually far harder than
0:51.9	identifying the plot points.
0:53.6	It's easy enough to name these big
0:56.0	turning points on a beat sheet, but when you sit down to write the pages that bridge those
1:02.0	landmarks, the story can feel as if it's stalling in the middle. The real challenge, and I would
1:08.8	say the true power of story structure structure lies in shaping the in-between
1:13.6	sections so they carry momentum.
1:16.6	If you want to know how to keep your story moving between the big moments, it helps to look
1:23.1	at those stretches as purposeful sequences that grow out of one turning point and drive the story
1:30.0	to the next. This is exactly what one writer specifically asked me about wondering how to handle
1:36.6	all the in-between moments without the story lagging. Here's Stephanie's question. I've loved all your
1:43.3	books about outlining and story structure.
1:45.9	I feel as if, thanks to you, I have a sound grasp on the major plot points and the concept of
1:51.2	scene and sequel. But I would love your thoughts on effectively linking those major plot points.
1:56.9	My stories seem to have a lag in development between the major events.
	...

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