Advancing Your Plot
Did you know each scene should advance your plot?
I recently read a new author, Randy Singer, and was completely hooked into his story. It wasn't until I was halfway through that I realized I should study his writing to see why it worked so well.
It didn't take me long to see that each of his scenes had more than one purpose.
1. Each scene showed a new facet of character (not always for the same person) that added to the plot's unwinding
2. Each scene revealed knowledge (plot point) that forced the characters to make a choice
3. Each scene upped the stakes so that I wondered how the characters could possibly survive with the choices they were making.
I'm sure his scenes had even more literary tidbits, but these stood out to me. The important thing to know is that this was a seamless process. The scenes didn't jump out at me and scream, "This is my purpose".
Rather, later scenes revealed the purpose of earlier scenes.
Do your scenes advance the plot? How many "purposes" do you give each scene?
There's a great article HERE by bestselling author Vicki Hinze.
I recently read a new author, Randy Singer, and was completely hooked into his story. It wasn't until I was halfway through that I realized I should study his writing to see why it worked so well.
It didn't take me long to see that each of his scenes had more than one purpose.
1. Each scene showed a new facet of character (not always for the same person) that added to the plot's unwinding
2. Each scene revealed knowledge (plot point) that forced the characters to make a choice
3. Each scene upped the stakes so that I wondered how the characters could possibly survive with the choices they were making.
I'm sure his scenes had even more literary tidbits, but these stood out to me. The important thing to know is that this was a seamless process. The scenes didn't jump out at me and scream, "This is my purpose".
Rather, later scenes revealed the purpose of earlier scenes.
Do your scenes advance the plot? How many "purposes" do you give each scene?
There's a great article HERE by bestselling author Vicki Hinze.
Comments
Great ideas for making compelling chapters. Thanks for sharing your dissection of his work. (did I spell that right?!)
It can be a little intimidating to try to process, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's something you're already doing. I think it may be an organic part of writing for most writers (to reveal character).
It looks right to me. :-) It was such a hooky book and I was like, how is he doing this?
Don't worry about just learning all this stuff. I'm still learning things and I'm on my fourth manuscript.
We don't have to know it all to write a good story. :-) I have a feeling that you're on the right track.
The book was great. You might find it interesting to that this was a Christian book but the christian thread was very subtle, until toward the end. Even then, throughout the majority of the book none of the main protagonists were Christians. He did a great job, imo.
I love this line you wrote. That's what has been missing in my writing and I've been trying to do that now,up the notch a little on each scene. SO that I might gasp when the character does something.
How come I wasn't a follower of your blog? Did you just add this????
A scene that doesn't do at least two of those is wasted.
Each scene has as many purposes as it takes. I don't consciously pay attention to the sturcture most of the time, but I always feel when the scene is done. When it comes to writing, I'm more intuitive than analytical.
Thanks for saying you like my line. I need to work on that too.
Thank you SO much! I'd heard there was a little checklist but tried to cruise the internet and couldn't find it. At least two purposes, you're completely right! I try to do the same thing, though I've heard if we squeeze three in we're rolling. :-)
I think I'm the same way. I don't sit and plot out what's going to happen but just write what I feel should happen. I hope it's working. LOL
You're right about how much work it takes to make the scene seamless.
Amazing how many takes there are on this. Style, Style, Style...Choices. Never ending.
I totally agree that each scene needs more than one purpose. Character development/revealing, plot, conflict should all be interwoven.
I'd love to get a link to your article.
You're right about style. And choices. I guess this is where the writer's gut instinct kicks in on how much to reveal to the reader.
Thanks for commenting!
Fantastic post! A great reminder as I delve into rewrites soon. :D
I think it's important to constantly raise story questions and create tension. There are still a lot of areas where I need to cut unnecessary scenes and ramp up others.
Thanks for cutting through the fog and giving a clear picture on the purpose of scenes.
Blessings,
Susan :)
"Rather, later scenes revealed the purpose of earlier scenes." - What excellent advice. I love books like that, when all these threads come together at the end and suddenly everything clicks into place. You're absolutely right - to accomplish that every scene has to have a purpose.
I know exactly what you mean. When I edit the manuscript I just finished, there's a scene I'm either going to have to rework or just plain cut.
Ouch, but it has to be done. :-) Good luck with yours!
I'm looking forward to your posts. Pacing and scene structure, ie flow of the book, is still something I'm learning.
I totally agree questions and tension. It kind of goes back to your hook, don't you think? Constantly revealing more or adding a new angle to what the reader is searching for or expecting?
Thanks for stopping by! I love books like that too. You stay hooked because you want to know what happens and then suddenly at the end, bam, so many things make sense.
So many thing to look for when writing; I think all the editing is going to take me ten more years :P
It is daunting. I have tons of scenes in my head that are waiting (impatiently) to be written. I'm glad this info is helpful for you. :-)
That's a way to look at life, scene by scene. Heeehee.
Thanks for commenting!
You blog addict. You made it over. :-)
=)