Today we’re going to talk about scenes. This is part of the writing series I mentioned about writing styles and helpful tips. Remember these are merely guidelines and may or may not work for you.
As writers, we must each fine what clicks for us. Hopefully you can use some of the information listed to help you build memorable scenes that propel your story along.
A scene has often been defined as “a single action or a series of connected actions taking place in a single setting in a finite period of time.” That boils down to; if you change the setting from the bathroom to the character being in his/her office or outdoors, etc., that’s a scene change.
We write scenes to propel the novel or story. The scenes are where the characters act, just like in play. The difference is you have to create the visualazations in the readers mind. That action drives the drama; scenes are the elements of drama. Scenes are structural building blocks. You can’t build a home with a structure nor can you build a book (or story) with scenes.
Scenes are used to control turning points in the story. They contain the twists, turns, hints and suggestions that keeps the story moving.
One of the best ways to learn about scenes is, of course, to read fiction. If the writer’s scenes aren’t popping out at you try studying one of your favorite novels. Most of us have at least one novel we’ve read more than once and wouldn’t mind reading again. Use that one! Use it as a study guide! Note how the writer uses scenes in the book.
The Construction of a Scene
Beginning: This is where you set the stage, introduce the characters involved, set the tone and rhthym.
Middle: This is where the action takes place. Characters have conflict, the drama unfolds, secrets are revealed, questions are answered or more questions are raised, more secrets begin to appear.
End: This is where the scene closes. This often leaves the reader hanging and propels them to keep reading. The characters or character generally makes some kind of emotional decision. This choice/decision should lead to the next scene and raise more conflict and drama.
Story Board
Some writers use a story board to map out scenes. This method often allows you to write scenes in pieces. Lets say you have 3 scenes* you’re working on. What comes to a close in scene 3 was brought up in scene 1, came to a head in scene 2 and resolved in scene 3. At this point you can create more drama in scene 3, as one thing closes it raises something else. This would carry you through 3 more scenes.
*I’ve used 3 scenes as a guideline for ease of explanation. You can carry a story through as many scenes as you like, but what happens in one scene affects the other scenes and can be written simultaneous if you like. There’s no rule that says you have to write one scene at a time before moving to the next.
Setting the Stage
For some writers it helps to set the stage for a scene. They jot down notes or use an outline. Things you should consider when setting the stage include:
time/place, season, weather, location, mood, sounds, smells, images, surroundings, furniture, etc.
Knowing and describing these things will help give the reader a vivid image of the scene.
Do you have any tips you’d like to share for scene building? We’d love to hear from you!
Write On!
Patti
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and don't forget to mix it up (time/place, season, weather, location, mood, sounds, smells, images, surroundings, furniture) and it must be matched each other :)
and don't forget to mix it up (time/place, season, weather, location, mood, sounds, smells, images, surroundings, furniture) and it must be matched each other :)