The Shape of the Story Changes

For the past few years I've been working on this one particular writing project of mine.  It's a YA book that I've re-written a few dozen different times, and--currently--and doing some deep-edits.

And the thought that has driven me to post today is that it is amazing what little bits of life and the people that are new (or even new-ish) in your life can change the shape of story.

I moved out to Pacific Northwest last year, started graduate school, started exploring my spiritual side and met some incredible new people.  And I have found, as I do this deep-edit, and rewrite portion of the book that all these things are changing the shape of it.

However, I think the new people in my life are re-shaping the most.  While the story has not lost my voice--not by a long shot--I find the voices of my new friends creeping in.

And I don't think that's a bad thing...

The Chapter Three Blues

Yep. That's right. I have the chapter three blues. Over the years thy way I delve into writing a long work of fiction or a novel is has taken this layout:

Preface: (More for my information & not normally included in final product
Chapter 1: Start with a bang! Jump right into it.
Chapter 2: Fill out the character, but keep the story line moving.
Chapter 3: The set up. Basically, the entrance ramp to my story express-way.

Normally, my chapter three is bla. And normally I'm okay with this. I just tell myself I write a few more chapters and come back and edit it later. That works for me. But not this time. This time, I feel like I'm staring at Mt. Everest. While the plot line is moving, its slow in comparison to Chapter 1 & 2, the dialogue is heavy and stiff, and my descriptions seem too long but hold vital information.

It's been a week since I've written Chapter 3. And no matter how hard I try to start Chapter 4, I just can't, because Chapter 3, just feels so unnatural. And this is after I've scrapped it and re-written. So, ladies & gentlemen of the internet...any suggestions?