Writing

Questions tagged [scene]

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This tag should be used for questions about a scene in a written work, such as a [novel] or a [screenplay].

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8
votes
7answers
3k views

How can I indicate time passing?

There is a scene in which my main character is hiding from the villain while they are both in the same room. I want this to be a suspenseful and agonizing stretch of time, but I’m not sure how to show ...
1
vote
2answers
78 views

How to write the same event with a different POV?

I am aiming to change POV in the middle of my book, based on my previous question and I have yet to decide where to start the second POV. The first POV and the second meet during one event - a ...
1
vote
2answers
135 views

When someone sees something frightening, how can I make it obvious without sounding cliche?

I write a lot of horror, and I notice that my characters use "Oh my God!" when they're frightened in my scenes by a demon, ghost or murderer. How can I make them seem terrified without being so cliche ...
2
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3answers
102 views

How to write a “functioning” addict protagonist and it not get repetitive?

A sub-plot of my story, is that the protagonist is struggling with addiction to alcohol due to past events (which happen in the book). I'm worried that all the scenes will come off the same because he ...
3
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2answers
282 views

Can I have scenes that aren't directly related to the main plot but strengthen the relationship between two characters (which is a subplot)?

I have some scenes in my novel that have nothing to do with the main plot, it's just to show the character development and the development of the relationship between two characters. Is this okay ...
1
vote
2answers
129 views

Should a scene break always be put in place when there is change in location, times, and dates?

I have read many books where the character is in one place at a certain time and, without a scene break being utilised, they are all of a sudden in a different place at a different time, but it works ...
1
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3answers
262 views

Examples of dialog beats and bookism

I was wondering if there is a list of ideas on how to add beats to dialog. For example: "Listen to me!", John said excitedly. "We can sell all these coins now and get rich today." He got closer ...
2
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3answers
184 views

How to write intercut scenes in a novel?

I wish to write an intercut scene for a novel, where two very contrasting things are happening at the same time. The technique works really well on the screen, but I think we can use the same ...
2
votes
2answers
158 views

How much uncertainity will the 'general (Non-YA) fantasy reader' tolerate?

In my current project my goal is to go for the following narrative style within scenes: Show only what the POV-Char can see, hear,... sense. Show their emotional reaction (through body-feelings, ...
23
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11answers
6k views

Don't look at what I did there

This question is about hiding from the reader the fact that I am skipping some steps. Worse, perhaps, I don't want to show them, and I may have no clue or intention of figuring out how these steps ...
18
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5answers
2k views

Spicing up a moment of peace

In the ever swinging tone of a novel, one may wish to show a moment of peace amidst all the chaos. In my novel it happens a few times, most notably when characters are travelling across vast natural ...
8
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5answers
299 views

My scenes seem too fast

I’m having issues ‘cause while I’m in the process of writing I think my style has enough length to it, but when I go back and read my work it feels extremely fast. A scene I expected to take me ...
20
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5answers
2k views

How to not confuse readers with simultaneous events?

In an omniscient third person, I have 8 (practically unrelated) events going simultaneously in different parts of a large mansion. I want to present these events as they happen, but I feel jumping ...
0
votes
1answer
78 views

What's the most humane form of ritual sacrifice? [closed]

Not sure if this is off-topic, sorry. I'm writing a cult ritual to summon a powerful entity. The ritual must include: 1. A willing sacrifice 2. Them being stabbed in the heart 3. Their death taking ...
-2
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1answer
50 views

Good recess scene screenplay [closed]

I'm wondering if anyone could tell me how to write some very short recess scene at a school? I'm out of ideas. P.S. this would be acted.
11
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7answers
2k views

Is it advisable to add a location heads-up when a scene changes in a novel?

In my novel, I have a scene at home which changes to scene at the office which is completely different. I have written it in a way that in a line or two the reader will understand the scene is changed ...
3
votes
5answers
260 views

How do I indicate that the next scene actually happens at the same time as the previous scene

I'm currently working on a script for a college project and there's one part of the script that sorta goes like this: A character heard a scream from outside of the room they're in and decided to ...
17
votes
8answers
3k views

I wrote a scene that the majority of my readers loved. How do I get back to that place while writing my new book?

I wrote a scene that I put my heart and soul into. It was received well by most of my readers, but I'm struggling with crafting a new scene for a book I'm currently writing. Here's some comments from ...
2
votes
1answer
92 views

The concept of description and the structure of Mckee's view of story design

Consider the following text: Tania is in her living room, in the summer. She looks to the window and the street in front of her house, then she realized how dry and parched they are, this makes ...
2
votes
1answer
114 views

How many blank lines before scene headings (and secondary scene headings) using Amazon Storywriter

Question : How many blank lines should be before scene headings and secondary scene headings in a screenplay? Note that I am using Amazon Storywriter. Detail : I am writing a screenplay with Amazon ...
3
votes
3answers
101 views

Which techniques maintain reader interest when the POV is a spectator? (Sports story as sidequest?)

In my case, my character is literally a spectator. They're at a sporting event. There will be a major event which ramps up their plotline that occurs at this event, but I'm finding the event itself (...
3
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1answer
2k views

How to script two scenes happening simultaneously?

I am writing a movie where a character has an interview with a news reporter. The scenes segues into a character profile of the interviewee that features a voice over from the interviewer. How would I ...
4
votes
2answers
114 views

If the narrator of the story is a pet, can I still add some philosophical stuff into its narration?

So, the story is about the heroine of the book, but the whole thing is narrated by her pet. Initially the plot is light and easy, but later into the story, it gets a little serious. There's stuff ...
8
votes
3answers
268 views

Pre-modern battle - command it, or fight in it?

If I were to describe Waterloo from Napoleon's point of view, it would be very different from that same battle from the point of view of a soldier, or even a cavalry lieutenant in the front ranks. ...
2
votes
1answer
83 views

How to describe a row of two different types of trees?

This may seem like a silly question (it definitely feels like it has one of those answers that I already know, but just can't dig up). And maybe this isn't the right place for it, but I am asking for ...
20
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6answers
1k views

Identifying and managing weak scenes during planning

I structured my plot, designed the path to the climax, listed my characters and even outlined some scenes. Then halfway through I got stuck: one minor transition scene just did not make sense. The ...
4
votes
2answers
208 views

How to fill novel if you have just some moments prepared?

I read some of my old novels and realized that I often filled them with unnecessary info and pseudojokes so I could quickly rejoin my favourite moments in the planned plot. I found those moments more ...
0
votes
2answers
84 views

How to show a short, sequential passing of time, without changing the scene [closed]

I was working on a story for practice; I have been putting it off for some time. I am extremely new to writing and honestly need to read more. I personally tend to think more like a movie camera, so I ...
2
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1answer
1k views

What is the average word count for a scene in a chapter?

Does the average scene-word-count lessen for a YA/children's novel and increase for, say, an adult thriller?
7
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6answers
2k views

Writing a crying scene

Writing a crying scene makes me accidentally do repetitions like "the tears which were on her face broke down into a slithering stream..." and then putting the word tears again and again. What ...
11
votes
5answers
1k views

A handful of gems

So I'm facing an issue after many years of writing, and several unsuccessful novels. In my own estimation, all my books contain a "handful of gems" --wonderful scenes that really come to life. But ...
2
votes
4answers
199 views

Having Trouble Writing An Opening Scene With A Shy Character

I'm having a bit of trouble coming up with the opening scene for a fantasy story I'm writing, about a mousy but passionate girl from a family of entertainers who inherits the entertainer's blood. She ...
2
votes
2answers
102 views

How do I make a repetitive element in a play interesting?

I am writing a playscript these days which includes various characters that are frequently related throughout the story. They all hold special orbs/keys that help the main protagonist progress further ...
13
votes
4answers
2k views

Static Scenes that still Move the Story Forward

I've just read a tutorial about scenic techniques in novel-writing that recommends that a story should have a rhythm of static scenes and dramatic scenes. Here's an excerpt: Dramatic scenes are ...
9
votes
3answers
1k views

Sensory Information Overload

I'm reading The Book of Human Emotions by Tiffany Watt Smith (good stuff if you want to inform the use of emotion in your writing), and I've just come across Overwhelmed (feeling). It talks about the ...
6
votes
2answers
322 views

Scene switching and how to do it?

So I am writing a story that is in my head for millions of years already and it is finally progressing. I like how things going for a first draft and I am pretty happy to get things going. But lately ...
6
votes
2answers
712 views

How to relate stormy weather to sadness?

Is it possible that stormy weather can be related to sadness? The weather could be related to gloom?
8
votes
5answers
341 views

Help with my story - elements of a scene

I’m writing a story where a vampire pulls a girl into a room so he can feed off her without anyone knowing. What are the things I should consider when I describe her being pulled into a room by him, ...
16
votes
8answers
2k views

How do you assess the value of an individual scene?

Authors need to understand which scenes in their stories to cut in order to help the reader enjoy the story best. Knowing what works for the reader and what does not is a key skill for authors. ...
3
votes
5answers
322 views

What is the spectrum of 'disasters' in 'scene-sequel?"

I'm looking at my project through the lens of the 'scene-sequel' model now. Scene=Goal/Conflict/Disaster, Sequel=Reaction/Dilemma/Decision. My story has been through over a dozen various revisions ...
8
votes
6answers
1k views

How do I write and describe a room full of panic?

How do I write about a room full of panic? I have searched for the answer but all I get is how to write a panic attack. I am trying to write a scene where there is a party. The party is to celebrate ...
4
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4answers
1k views

Do too many scenes exhaust the reader?

I'm now analyzing the scenes in my manuscript. I broke my manuscript into scenes using the definition that a new scene begins when a person, place, or time point shifts. This means whenever a ...
4
votes
6answers
2k views

How does a person go about describing a place/experience that they never personally experienced before, like a circus?

I've never been to a circus, and all the shows and videos I've seen about them don't give off the full effect. How does a person go about describing a place/experience that they never personally ...
1
vote
1answer
67 views

How should I write this scene heading? Let me explain

In my screenplay, I have a character that’s a 20 year old college student. He lives at home. His name is Brett. Another character pulls up to Brett’s house. Should the scene heading read: EXT. ...
6
votes
6answers
211 views

Should my opening include a religious initiation ritual?

I am about to start my first novel set in a fantasy world I am designing, and am struggling deeply with my first scene. I have read in books on fantasy writing that the opening is the hook. I am ...
-1
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2answers
1k views

How to show crying through text? [duplicate]

How are you able to show crying in a text without using emoji or sentimentalism?
2
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1answer
133 views

How do I avoid making scenes feel rushed?

I've written several scenes and reread them silently. Most times they sound rushed, unnatural and uncomfortable. This especially happens with action or other fast-paced scenes. How do I avoid this ...
1
vote
1answer
5k views

How to Write a Bullying Scene? [closed]

In my newest story, the protagonist gets bullied constantly, and I'm planning for him to be driven to suicide later on the the story. But, I'm completely stuck on how to write a realistic scene, which ...
3
votes
3answers
97 views

Is it good to repeat the same form of event?

Background So, long ago in my writing I wrote a chapter where a book housing a specific missing chapter was found in a treasury. As you can tell, it's super ultra convenient to just have it in the ...
4
votes
3answers
373 views

A written action scene, interrupted?

My comic novel has a scene in which the hero is battling a monster. And at a moment of tension, where he's losing badly, there's a scene break in which the narrator goes into a brief digression. After ...

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