Let me go out on a squirrel-infected limb here, and take a guess about you. Here goes– unless you’re a “Real Housewife of (Wherever),” it’s unlikely you would intentionally make a scene in public.
Am I right?
I knew it!
Receiving positive attention from friends or colleagues is swell, but drawing every eye in the room because you did something outrageous or embarrassing, well, that’s un-swell.
For writers of novels, however, making a scene can be a sign of progress. My wise chocolate mint grasshoppers, you know I’m referring to a scene in a story.
I plotted by current WIP by making a simple bullet point list. Thanks to that list, the writing moved along swimmingly [cue ominous music] until I got snagged on a BIG perplexing plot point. I felt daunted and discouraged.
Then, I found a detour! I studied my bullet list. I picked a few points later in the novel that I felt ready to imagine. I wrote those scenes. Wow! That felt good. As I progressed from one scene to another, in any order, I experienced the delight of forward motion. I sailed from Daunted > Encouraged > Empowered. Those good vibes are infusing me with the courage I need to draft the tricky scenes I skipped.
A time to knit these disparate scenes together will come, and (gulp) I’m excited to see how well that process will work. If it doesn’t, I will scream @#$%&!! in the middle of a crowded restaurant, then sweep my arm across a table to upend coffee cups, slide china to the floor to shatter and send the salt shaker flying. Next, I’d quack and skip out the door with a bread basket on my head. Now, THAT would be a scene.
If you are slogging your way through a first draft and feel stuck, why not free yourself to write a scene for any point in your novel–Act I, II or III. It may be just what you need.
As a bonus, here’s a practical, energizing article from Writer’s Digest with ten tips for launching strong scenes. And, as a bonus-bonus (that’s a thing), here are more options for regaining your momentum.
My best wishes to you as you craft your scenes. Pass your tips along too!
“[on scene execution] Interesting isn’t the point…storytelling momentum and relevance is.” ― Larry Brooks, Story Engineering: Character Development, Story Concept, Scene Construction
Imagine if the writer’s journey was straightforward and satisfying instead of this curlicued and petulant path. We’d be done with the project…but bored as heck. :^
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Hmmm. It’s hard to imagine at this point! I’m glad I’m on this crazy journey with fine people like you, Carrie.
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Your posts always put me in a good humor, because you have such a great sense of humor. You’re so funny. I love the advice pieces you post with a bit of humor included. We all need to laugh more.
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That makes me so happy! Thank you for sharing.
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Sometimes a scene begs to be written next, even if it doesn’t come next. I’m a softy for scene-begging. Other scenes refuse to be written, and they need to be put off for a more inspired day.
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Exactly! I’m relieved we “finally” found “something” we can agree on. 🙂
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