How do you write stronger, more structured scenes that excite you and captivate your reader?
Each scene is a microcosm of the whole story. It creates an emotional connection to your reader.
But when scenes lack structure and focus, readers don’t know what to pay attention to. And they’re not much fun to write.
It all comes down to framing each scene.
In this episode, learn 5 ways to craft stronger, more structured scenes that guide readers seamlessly through your story.
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Episode at a glance:
[01:22] Learn the first thing to get clear on when writing scenes. So that each scene is a manifestation of your character’s quest and the internal struggle holding him or her back.
[02:56] Great scenes are framed and focused. When scenes aren’t framed, the reader doesn’t know what to pay attention to. And a confused mind stops reading.
[05:49] 1. Move your reader seamlessly through space and time. To do that, you’ll keep your scene in one place and one timeframe. You’ll learn the time markers that keep readers moving effortlessly through each scene.
[08:46] 2. Build your scene around one significant moment. It should be one story problem, one conversation, one confrontation, or one moment of realization or insight.
[11:02] Readers crave struggle, so you don’t want to go too easy on your characters. Listen to examples of how struggles are dramatized and ultimately overcome.
[13:96] 3. Get in early, get out late. Skip the preamble. Start closer to the moment where some kind of incident changes your character’s status quo, or throws him or her off balance. Then get out of the scene early so the reader wants more.
[15:18] 4. Know what each character wants going into every scene. Not just your protagonist, but every character in the scene. This creates tension and conflict.
[19:24] 5. Make sure there’s an emotional shift within your main character by the end of the scene, not just an external change.
Links mentioned in this episode:
Kramer V. Kramer Inciting Incident Scene
Kramer Vs. Kramer French Toast Scene
Kramer Vs. Kramer Dinner Conflict Scene
Kramer Vs. Kramer Restaurant Crisis Scene
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