[]The marshes were just a long black horizontal line then, as I stopped to look after him; and the river was just another horizontal line, not nearly so broad nor yet so black; and the sky was just a row of long angry red lines and dense black lines intermixed. But if that were all, the scene would be lacking. He is the author of the novel, A Paper Son (Simon & Schuster). How to Write a Scene Using My 8-StepProcess. How do you weigh a scene vs. a summary? That change can be subtle or huge. My rattlesnake scene carries obvious outer conflict: man against snakes. There are no rules only make it interesting. Comparing the scenes with the bigger picture can help you to identify those holes in the action. You will include other smaller transitional scenes until you come to the end of what then becomes your first draft. The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers to this website may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Your email address will not be published. Now that we're armed with all that scene knowledge, let's figure out how many scenes will be in your novel. Cygnet Brown (author) from Springfield, Missouri on October 03, 2013: Next month I will be using this technique for writing the first draft of 50k words in a month during NaNoWriMo. Does the atmosphere bring any misgivings to any of the characters about what is about to happen in the story line? Re-framing the similarities between sex scenes and fight scenes may help you. I make sure my opening of each scene has a hook to draw the reader in, I focus on the obstacle or conflict in the main part of the scene, and then I bring the conflict to some kind of end or resolution that usually poses a new question or dilemma for my character. Lenny arrives at school, invisible for the most part, except Peyton, a bubbly girl of questionable paranormal origin, notices her. If you can get yourself into this state, make sure youve got a pen and paper near you so you can write down anything you see. Have each one of your characters think about what they think and feel about each of the other characters before the characters first meet. Im really glad to hear that, all success for your novel. Authors often use the natural break between scenes to add a time-skip, such as, The next morning, Two weeks later, and so on. But Im sure with notes such as the ones youre providing here, I can work around those drafts and actually get one or two completed. Grumpy - 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs'. Location A location change often signals the start of a new scene, but this isn't always the case. Slow it down All novels require appropriate pacing, and the pace will depend on the scene itself. What sensory descriptions fit the scene? Generally, a new scene will start with a new focus, and that usually happens with a change in either the location, time, or point-of-view character. He said that he wouldn't have the patience to write a novel like that. As you will notice, the pre-action anticipatory section of one scene leads right into the reflecting section of the next. In most instances, your plotting method will be the best way to get this eagle-eye view of your story. Create an Editorial Map. Read on for tips on how to write a scene, plus analysis of story scene examples: The word scene broadly means A place or setting regarded as having a particular character or making a particular impression. (Oxford English Dictionary). How will they need to change or grow in order to overcome these obstacles? Stories need a constant turnover of success and failure, which is achieved through the conflict your character faces in every scene. A great novel will have conflict on every page, sometimes inner, other times outer. You will rewrite all the scenes strung together using the POV that best fits this novel. Heres a summary of that scene, which well refer to throughout this post as an example to help you better understand key concepts: The scene starts with a narration of activities the family does after arriving at the zoo: getting ice cream; seeing the animals; and eating lunch where Harry, to his surprised luck, gets to finish Dudleys extra knickerbocker glory. While youre writing, I suggest you put chapters aside and focus on your scenes. Drafting a manuscript without creating this list will likely slow down your writing process and could end with an incoherent plot. And while these are each great changes to the story-world, not all changes need or should be that big. As I am writing this scene, I am also developing each character's sketch, especially the major players. To decide whose POV to choose, ask yourself: And the on-the-nose stuff no one wants to read. Here are a 7 rules to go by when going to write a sex scene: Set the stage for doing good work. For bringing the flurry of activity to the fore, perhaps cut back and forth between the actions and movements of the kidnappers and the surveillance teams? At such a time I found out for certain that this bleak place overgrown with nettles was the churchyard; and that Philip Pirrip, late of this parish, and also Georgiana wife of the above, were dead and buried. How To Write A Great Scene (And Nail It Every Time) By C M Taylor Enrich your novel, by writing great, vivid and memorable scenes. It basically occurs while hes sitting in the kitchen and different characters come in, have a conversation, and leave, kind of weaving them in and out through a few conversations. If you want to use a time-skip but dont know if it starts a new scene, here are a few things to ask yourself about the scene: Does the focus continue through the time-skip? The mid point scene is often where the protagonist has discovered that somehow perhaps he has won. Without a goal or motivation driving their actions, your characters will come across as directionless and passive. If you cant identify the purpose for your scene, throw it out and come up with one that works. Each card could describe the scene it covers in a sentence or two, along with the purpose it serves. As they talk, Peyton lets slip about the missing girls. Required fields are marked *. Episode 1: How To Write Great Scenes That Keep Readers Engaged: Writing Great Scenes #1, Episode 2: Your Characters Goal or Desire In A Scene: Writing Great Scenes #2, Episode 3: How To Write Conflict: Writing Great Scenes #3, Episode 4: How To Structure A Scene: Writing Great Scenes #4. He meets his goal only to face an even greater problem. Disclaimer: TCK Publishing and its website, TCKPublishing.com, provides information on writing, publishing, books, and advice to help you live a better and more successful life. For instance, the prince is on the way to the castle to save the princess from the dragon. For example, you could create an index card per scene for each chapter. Think of ways to ramp up conflict to the highest stakes possible. Strengthen the stakes. A dark old hallway in a Gothic mansion creates the atmosphere of the place being sinister. But this is just a suggestionif you want to figure out the chapters around your scenes now, you can. Too much detail is boring, as are details that dont reveal anything important. This time-skip moves the scene from Harry being told hes grounded, to showing him experiencing that punishment, along with his low mood resulting from all that happened that day. In the Harry Potter example scene, once the Boa constrictor escapes, J. K. Rowling moves us quickly through the aftermath and home to where Harry gets grounded. What is the specific obstacle that causes conflict in the scene? Because of this, Harrys young, untrained magic lashes out and makes the glass of the exhibit vanish. Do something to refresh your creative juices and come back when your thoughts have had some time to settle. Often, authors see the word change and think it means big things like discovering a murder, finding a treasure map, or two characters breaking up. Because, for the story to advance, decisions must be made and action instigated. Whats the opening scene? Also called a book map or a story map, an editorial map is a hugely useful tool to identify what's in my novel and where it happens. Plotting and planning scene cards works for some writers and not for others. What do the characters feel and think about the scene they just went through? Let me know what you decide to do with the scenes ultimately . Cygnet Brown graduated magna cum laude from Argosy University. I will follow this process and go back and forth between the plot notes, my scene cards, and my written chapters dozens of times throughout the process of a first draft. Subplots of some novels may be main plots in others. Every event in your novel should impact your characters and foment change. Make every word count. Ive talked about your main character so far, but theyre most likely not the only character in your novel. Dudley punches Harry out of the way, knocking him to the floor. Welcome to the fifth and final episode in our series on Writing Great Scenes. The protagonist and the antagonist of a scene does not have to be the antagonist of the entire novel. At some point in your writing journey, youve probably sat down to write or edit a scene only to draw a blank. Basically each scene should be plotted similar to this way: Who is the antagonist of this scene? While some writers stuff scenes with too much detail, most tend to underwrite sensory specifics. It is where the first initial actions occur between each of the characters. The part about asking who, what, when, where and why has opened my eyes as to what scenes need to be in a novel. We will call them the opening scene, the scene at plot point one, the scene at Midpoint, the scene at Plot point two, the Catharsis scene, and finally the Wrap-up scene. This post will help you whether youve just started writing your novel and dont know where to start, are in the middle of writing and have become discouraged, or have finished your novel but are worried your scenes are uninteresting. Cygnet Brown (author) from Springfield, Missouri on October 04, 2013: Actually, the first novel took me 20 years and the second one took me 20! There are many different plotting methods you can use, but I tend to use the three-act structure. 7. The next scene card I know has Kai, the guy who was staring at her in the hallway, confronting her about something. By atmosphere, I mean does it help create the feel of the situation. A POV character is the one whose eyes were seeing the story through. This lets you quickly capture the action, conflict, stakes, and resolution in a few sentences and see the plot elements that will . She has resisted falling for him, so this incident creates super-high conflict between them, as Bucks behavior pushes her away. Both scenes and sequels as described by Swain are types of scenes, so his terms are a little confusing. In the end, whether big or small, all scenes should change the course of your story in some way. It contains the following: For Harry, the outcome is that Uncle Vernon grounds him to his cupboard. Imagine it is a scene in a movie. It contains the following: In the Harry Potter scene, the family arrives at the zoo AND Harry wants to stay out of trouble to enjoy the outing. But change must occur. In the previous scene, Uncle Vernon told Harry, Im warning you now, boyany funny business, anything at alland youll be in that cupboard from now until Christmas. This funny business refers to Harrys subconscious use of magic he doesnt know about yet. Many writers spend a moment thinking up a vignette but give little regard to the scenes purpose. But an eighth fairy shows up, one long thought dead, and she curses the baby. And this is basically how I write my entire novel, scene by scene using the scene structure and elements weve discussed in this series. In this way, Im plotting backwards to fill in the gaps. But instead, hes only reflecting on his life. We dont see the character sleeping or driving, nor does the narration describe what happened during that time. Lets say I have the following scene cards: First, I put these into chronological order and try to pair them up with my plot points. Second: theres no one size fits all template for a perfect scene. Writing a novel is a lot of work; once youve got a solid outline in place, you can work on perfecting your story one scene at a time. You want to write a scene, but how do you make it a good one? Every writer is different, but the plot on the page is never exactly the same as the scene cards I planned out, and thats okay. While a checklist can help analyze the structure, it doesnt address the process. Your scene might be more interesting if another characters goals oppose those of the protagonist, even if theyre on the same side. It is a smooth transition into action: Ours was the marsh country, down by the river, within, as the river wound, twenty miles of the sea. Buck drastically changes too. Many well-planned novels have some form of broader structure (such as three-act structure) ensuring everything hangs together. How do you usually approach them technique-wise? It also includes how each character is feeling before the scene. The main focus should be on that, rather than on what bit goes where. Today, we'll explore what scenes are, how to format scene breaks and when to start or end a . The reflection section of this scene is each character reflecting on the introduction and how this introduction is about to change his or her life. This part, for me, is often like meditation. By now, you hopefully have at least a handful of scene cards that are paired up with the major, overarching beats of your story. You could write individual actions or events on individual cards. 1. Note down where scene-setting (describing the place in which the scene occurs) starts and ends. In the Harry Potter example scene, readers fully enter the action when the family arrives at the reptile house. Where do you start? This process ensures that every scene is vital and the story flows in a way that seems logical and feels natural to the reader. Jason Buchholz has fostered the development of dozens of manuscripts, both in fiction and nonfiction. You want your character to be making decisions and taking actions; a proactive character will always be more interesting than a passive one. Whats the chronological order these scenes need to happen in? For example , in the Harry Potter example, Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon want Dudley to have the perfect birthday. A scenes last paragraph and closing line should ratchet up the conflict and underscore character transformation. It was his journeyhis changefrom a shy young boy into a powerful wizard that kept readers coming back. Or Ill have your heart and liver out. He tilted me again. I hope you find a workable solution! In deciding how to write a scene, its often useful to have a visual aid to see how your storys pieces connect. The action scene is the scene that not only includes movement, but it also is the part of the scene that includes argument. The end of a scene is a good place to bring an incident to some degree of closure (yet with open, suspense-creating questions lingering). How does each of the characters feel about the scene that is about to unfold? I have the basic premise of the scene already mapped out as follows; my UC character is in play. Literary agent Donald Maass encourages writers to consider how a point-of-view (POV) character feels before a scene starts and how she feels when the scene ends. The tension is ramped up when things really do go south, and it keeps us reading as we wonder what will happen next. Now, her feelings have been squashed. At the house, Uncle Vernon is furious and blames Harry for what happened at the zoo and punishes him. This occurs near the end of a scene, maybe even in the last line. What do you know at the end of the scene about place, character, or situation that you did not know at the start? As soon as he begins to cry, Dickens introduces a new, unexpected character in the scene: Hold your noise! cried a terrible voice, as a man started up from among the graves at the side of the church porch. Id suggest joining our writing groups on Now Novel and submitting ideas to our writing community and seeing what others think too. Your character had a goal and strove for it. Dickens does this simply by having Pip escape the mans clutches after promising to bring him what he wants: I said that I would get him the file, and I would get him what broken bits of food I could, and I would come to him at the Battery, early in the morning. Fix flow and pacing problems before the first draft. In this section, you will also describe one of the major locations used in the book as it relates to the atmosphere of the entire book. Yet individual scenes have their own structure as well. Where does this story need to begin? This scene isn't necessarily your opening scene, but it should be the one that you should write first. In the Harry Potter scene, Uncle Vernon grounds Harry, and this punishment lasts for several months. This scene is a tool toward character development. If you use this method throughout your novel, your scenes will flow better, and itll ensure you have that key combination of a goal and conflict in each scene. How will his sister and guardian (who turns out to be very feisty indeed) react to Pip asking for (or taking without asking) extra food and a file. The Harry Potter example scene contains four main time-skips: Because of this, the focus is carried, but this late in the scene, its petering out. That is a subplot. The mysterious guy (Kai) also works here. For example, action scenes require speed. You've likely heard that a scene should either advance the plot, reveal character, or both. These are often plots that interrupt the protagonist from reaching the wrap-up. She arrived at the store twenty minutes later.. Sometimes traveling to a new location can constitute a scene on its own, like a long argument during a car ride or a back and forth between characters during a hike. In the Harry Potter scene, the reader isnt relaxed, even though Harry starts out the zoo trip enjoying himself for the most part. A formal living space can give the atmosphere of the stuffiness of the occupants. They quickly learn that it is more challenging to write such a scene without the whole experience coming off as a cliche. Still, a . When the princess, Snow White, arrives at the cottage of the seven dwarfs, Nearly all of them accept her with open arms. When I write the next scene, I take care to make sure Ive acknowledged any passage of time or change in setting in order to ground the reader in the scene, and I follow the previous steps to keep writing. Here are my three favorite tips for revising a novel. Plot Point Two is the point at the end of the second act three act plays where everything falls apart. Verbs + sensory details = killer fight scene! This aside, here is the gist of Swains ideas: Swain categorises the purpose of a scene and sequel like this: A scene must always be followed by a sequel for pacing reasons. What about symbolism or motif? Romantic scenes can get out of hand pretty quickly. Where Im stuck is how to bring the flurry of activity of how the teams react to this to the fore. Writing good scene breaks and transitions will keep your story moving, even as you switch between settings (places and times) and viewpoints. Harry feels bad for the snake and talks to it, finding its poor conditions relatable. Can you develop any conflicts between any of the characters and the atmosphere? Once youve figured out where you still need more scenes, you can start brainstorming possibilities until something seems to fit your character, the growth they need, and the other parts of the story you want to have set up for later. Is this goal a logical one for my character to have? Thanks for checking in. Identify Its Purpose Here's where too many writers flounder. The next card is that Lennys new friend is kidnapped. Are the changes made in my scene easy to come back from? 2. Without proper structure, even the most beautiful bridge will collapse under the slightest weight. Let's do this. The scene has launched into a specific moment: Pip, alone and scared, crying in the graveyard. But it must be significant and serve the plot. Youll never get your best revisions done immediately after finishing the draft. Typically, these foil scenes are designed to highlight important moments of growth for your characters, create catharsis for your readers, and/or reinforce a major moment in your plot, simply by repeating important elements of your story in new and meaningful ways. My fathers family name being Pirrip, and my Christian name Philip, my infant tongue could make of both names nothing longer or more explicit than Pip. In the pre-action anticipatory section, the participants are anticipating what will happen in the action scene. Writing instructor James Scott Bell says, Every scene should have a deathof a dream, a relationship, or a plan. If it feels right or is a scene thats really shaken my character, I also make sure to follow up the scene with a sequel to give my character a chance to process what happened, face their new situation and make a new plan or intention. This exposition or scene introduction helps us already begin to understand Pip and get a feel for his voice as a narrator and main character. Get help improving scene structure, with constructive feedback on Now Novel from peers, an editor or your own writing coach. Sounds like a complex scenario and it is certainly tricky juggling so many characters and forces in the length-restrictive space of a story scene. We all have our own unique process, but you hit upon the key ingredients. Before you go, be sure to grab my FREE guide: How to Write a Book: Everything You Need to Know in 20 Steps, 2022 Jerry Jenkins | Proven Writing Tips | All Rights Reserved |. If you change locations and dont know whether or not to start a new scene, here are a few things to ask yourself: Does the focus (what the action and/or dialogue centers around) from the previous location continue smoothly into the new location? How do you know when you've reached the end of your scene outline? How does the room add to the atmosphere of the scene. Your email address will not be published. Knowing where your story starts, and where it ends gives the foundation of where your novel will start and where it will end. What progress or lack thereof has your protagonist made since the previous scene? It is simply the beginning. I allow myself to conjure up an image of my main character and the situations they will find themselves in throughout the course of this novel. As I write, Im always thinking of what my characters goal is, why they care, what their inner journey or mindset is in relation to this part of the story, and what information or obstacle needs to be revealed in this scene for my plot to move forward. My question though, in writing a short-story should it be packed with scenes/plots more or it will be more of a page-turner when stuffed with conversations or dialogues, interactions between characters? The action and sudden intrusion of the man creates a sharp spike in tension. Develop an inciting incident that will drive the plot. J. K. Rowling keeps Harry as the POV character from then on, but if she had changed it to another character, like Ron, for example, that would have called for a new scene or chapter. In fact, I have an entire video series on the three-act structure, complete with a workbook you can use to plot your novels. We respect your privacy. For instance, in a whodunit, the investigator brings all of the suspects together and evaluates alibis, motives, and clues as it relates to each of the suspects. By the end of this post, youll be able to identify your own scenes, structure your scenes with a goal and conflict, and improve your scenes through revisions. Say Lord strike you dead if you dont! said the man. For example, the status update in our Harry Potter scene is the narration of the familys activities in the zoo up until the reptile house. What you will probably do is take bits and pieces of the scene and use it in other scenes such as flash backs, introducing one character to another, the description of the scene, how each character feels about out characters and other anything else you wish to recycle. Figure out where you need to add more detail. In that scene, the characters actions and dialogue take place either at the zoo or are related to what happened there, more specifically with the Boa constrictor. How To Write Great Scenes That Keep Readers Engaged: Writing Great Scenes #1, How To Plot Your Novel, Part One: Series Overview, How To Plan Your Writing Schedule And Hit Your Deadlines. The end of the paragraph leads from general description of the graveyard to a specific occasion, emotion, and encounter: [I found out for certain] that the dark flat wilderness beyond the churchyard, intersected with dikes and mounds and gates, with scattered cattle feeding on it, was the marshes; and that [] the distant savage lair from which the wind was rushing was the sea; and that the small bundle of shivers growing afraid of it all and beginning to cry, was Pip. Thanks in advance for your input. But why do you need conflict anyway? In this part of the scene, as the narrator, I tell how this scene relates to the novel as a whole and how the events of the scene move the novel forward. But now I was frightened again, and ran home without stopping. Is there a worst-case scenario for how this scene could turn out? In the first two books of The Locket Saga, I created and used a scene in each of the books that brings all the main characters together as an introduction for the reader. Sketch out your novel first. 5. In the case of a novel however, the answer is in writing one scene at time. But for novels in shifting third person, with more than one perspective character, you need to decide whose POV youll portray in each scene. The book should begin with an opening question or hook, so does this first notecard feel like my best opening hook? They invite the seven fairies of the kingdom to the feast. Describe each character as they strip downtheir thoughts, perceptions, feelings about their own bodies, their partners, and carnal thoughts BEFORE even hitting the bed/floor/shower. What does your point of view character notice concerning each of the characters involved? Why? How long did it take you to write your first novel? If Pip were to encounter another escaped convict while sprinting home, the story might start to feel like a zombie movie more than a varied, nuanced plot. If you enjoyed this full series, comment and let me know what other series on writing you would love to see! Scenes often end in one of two ways. You know what a file is?. If a scene doesnt change the story-world and move the plot forward in some way, why does it exist? If you're writing in a notebook, you can use the color-coding to guide you when you transcribe your notes onto the computer ( into Scrivener, if you're like me ). Before the scene, she was falling in love. Let's begin! As you will notice, the pre-action anticipatory section of one scene leads right into the reflecting section of the next. Hi Alex thanks for sharing your writing challenge. Whatever its length, a scene should lead to an external story-world change, or an internal change of character or relationships. Start your scene in the middle of the action, a bit before you build to the high moment, and youll avoid pages of unimportant narrative. Then, Dudley punches Harry out of the way and to the floor. Cut anything that doesnt serve your scenes purpose. Or use the color-coded scene-listing system in the Outlining Your Novel Workbook software. I sometimes will need to sit with my scene cards after that and figure out how this new bit of information or this new character fits into the story. As you sketch out this foundation for your story, determine what want the story is fulfilling. And a story without change is an uninteresting one. Now that the major scenes of the main plot are roughed in, begin working on the scene development of secondary plots in the story. That means the plot for me is a fluid, ever-changing thing. These tips apply to any kiss between all types of people, and you can apply to erotica. A scene is a section of your novel where a character (or characters) engage in actions or dialogue centered around a main focus. Bring in how each person senses each of the others. If theres been a time-skip since the previous scene, sum up whats happened. He received his BA Honours in English Literature and his undergraduate in English Literature and Music from the University of Cape Town. When writing a scene, ask these questions to keep focused on your scenes purpose: These are the 5 Ws crucial for a good story that has depth. This might be a good scene, but does it move my plot forward. Does it bring any memories for this character? Once the scenes are created, it is a matter of connecting them together. Its the take down portion of an undercover operation. Have a great day and best wishes on your next novel. You should understand the intended point of view, or POV, before trying to write a scene. This is an external story-world change. If the new scene has a change in mood or tone, that should also be established right away. Ive never tried mind mapping for any of my scenes, but I might start now! scriptwriters and comic book artists). They are arbitrary dividers that mainly exist to control your readers experience. You should know the goal of even the minor and supporting characters in each scene; what are they trying to do, get, or find out? When crafting a scene opening, think about the purpose of the scene, how long you want it to be and the kind of mood you want to convey to the reader. A scene outline is a list of scenes that are needed in to story, including the main plotline and subplots. But could you make those actions more interesting? Lets dissect the opening scene in his thirteenth novelGreat Expectations (Project Gutenberg has the full public domain text). Today, were going to talk about how all these scenes come together to create a novel. The issue is, many writers don't know how much scene setting is too much, or how much is too little. Have you ever wondered how to do scene building in your novel? A good fight scene or a good sex scene reveals something about the characters or moves the plot forward. What are the big, story-changing beats? Dudley and Piers want to be entertained, and that includes ruining Harrys day. Were not publishers but we do provide author coaching services (including feedback on pitches) that you can read more about here: http://www.nownovel.com/home/mentorship. Every scene should progress the character arc and plot in some way, even if its small. A novel contains many building blocks. How do each of the characters respond to the atmosphere of the location? It can be helpful to ask yourself questions like: These types of questions can help you pair the beats of your plot with the scenes youve imagined in your head, which is, in turn, often going to help you identify the holes or weaknesses in your story. Knowing how to start a scene is important. Theres a common misconception that a chapter is a single scene, which it can be, but this is by no means a rule. What scenes will change my character the most on a personal or internal level? Don't forget to use senses other than sight! Their endings can coincide with the ending of a scene, or in the middle of the conflict to ramp up the tension with a cliffhanger. This scene lines up with the first doorway key event that locks Lenny into the story. Or both. In some stories, this scene might be at the beginning of the book as it were with first books of The Locket Saga, but in others it might be at the end. Because if you can write one terrific scene, you can write a hundred. The average novel these days ranges from 80,000 to 100,000 words. Plot point one is an event that begins the sequence of events of the change of the status quo of the opening scene. But what if you havent figured out any scenes yet? When I have written down all the things that came into my mind, sometimes Ill just give myself some space for a few days and come back to this meditation, seeing what comes up intuitively or naturally. There are many ways to use scene transitions and breaks in your book. Last updated: Nov 30, 2021 3 min read. There may also be some holes in there, and thats okay. They are structured with a beginning, middle, and end, acting as mini stories that link together to create your overall story. This key was taken by the magical Council after the death of her parents until they completed their investigation. You just want to make sure that for most of your story, the character is making and acting on their own decisions. I decide to try a scene where her Uncle Martin wakes her up for school and gives her back her witchs key, the way to unlock her magic. Once you know for sure where your scene begins and ends, its a good idea to see if you can cut off anything from either end. Piers is only too happy to mention that Harry was talking to the Boa constrictor because he knows it will get Harry into trouble. Click to tweet! Three basic sections make up a scene. Scene transitions need to identify place, time, and viewpoint character, especially if there's been a change in any of the three. We get a fuller sense of where Pip lives and he remembers a specific incident tied to place; visiting the graveyard where his father and mother are buried. In a nutshell, you need good pacing. So before we get started, lets establish what a scene is. Despite having written over a hundred years ago, his stories stand up today and continue to have many film and TV adaptations due to their rich characterization, efficient structure and compelling drama. Progressive steps to help you write that perfect scene: Youve likely heard that a scene should either advance the plot, reveal character, or both. Everything beforehand is summarized to get you to this point faster. So, I would then pull out another note card and brainstorm a scene that could come before she heads to school that would fulfill this need in the story. Structure, for one. As King says, the best novel openings aren't just beautiful sentences they're invitations into a world of the author's creation. What current or impending conflict looms? In my scene, by the end, the snakes become to Angela a symbol or image of Buck. Its purpose is to show my hero, Buck, losing control and scaring the heroine, Angela. 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