Great article! How to start late / end early isn't often discussed in this much detail.
There's an alternative to keeping 'A' when the scene would be confusing otherwise: The context info can be inserted after the actual scene has begun (but early enough that the reader doesn't feel confused). This can be tricky though, and sometimes the best option really is to add a couple lines of boring scene setting.
Thank you for another great article! I appreciate your breakdown of when to start a scene, when to end it, and what to cut. I often have a hard time with transitions that don't involve a physical indication of a scene break, so that is especially helpful!
I think "Your E is usually the aftermath or wind-down of the scene. Not only the goodbyes. During E, your characters process what just happened. They come to understand something or even form a conclusion. Which is why you should cut it," can depend on the story or situation. If you have something happen that would cause an emotional impact on the character, and the character doesn't reflect any kind of emotional response toward it, processing of it, and/or conclusion from it, that can feel off to readers. Also, if whatever happened could create a complicated response in the character, it might be better to reflect that more quickly rather than to save it for later. One of my favorite novels includes introspection that accomplishes that kind of reflection, and if the author had saved it for later or avoided it altogether, then the character's actions would make less sense and the (false) conclusions he comes to wouldn't have the same emotional impact on the reader.
Of course, if a character is struggling with a false belief or has another kind of conflict and they come to the right conclusion about something immediately, that might feel unrealistic to the reader, too, so that would be a good time to at least delay the proper conclusion. That, and the story would be over if it happened that quickly, lol.
Love that you broke it down in two, when cutting E doesn't work ans when it does. What's that favorite novel? I'm looking into instrospection so it may be a good read. Also, I like characters with loud minds.
Thanks! The novel is Skinless by Anne Social. It's the first in a YA series. It portrays mental health topics, trauma, and narcissistic abuse, so it's definitely a heavier read, but it's also hopeful. I wrote a recommendation for it that includes its list of trigger warnings here: https://spacetasticstories.substack.com/p/book-recommendation-skinless-by-anne
Great article! How to start late / end early isn't often discussed in this much detail.
There's an alternative to keeping 'A' when the scene would be confusing otherwise: The context info can be inserted after the actual scene has begun (but early enough that the reader doesn't feel confused). This can be tricky though, and sometimes the best option really is to add a couple lines of boring scene setting.
This was great, dude, two thumbs up! Cutting paragraph by paragraph and evaluating is good advice — thanks for taking the time and my suggestion!
Thank you for another great article! I appreciate your breakdown of when to start a scene, when to end it, and what to cut. I often have a hard time with transitions that don't involve a physical indication of a scene break, so that is especially helpful!
I think "Your E is usually the aftermath or wind-down of the scene. Not only the goodbyes. During E, your characters process what just happened. They come to understand something or even form a conclusion. Which is why you should cut it," can depend on the story or situation. If you have something happen that would cause an emotional impact on the character, and the character doesn't reflect any kind of emotional response toward it, processing of it, and/or conclusion from it, that can feel off to readers. Also, if whatever happened could create a complicated response in the character, it might be better to reflect that more quickly rather than to save it for later. One of my favorite novels includes introspection that accomplishes that kind of reflection, and if the author had saved it for later or avoided it altogether, then the character's actions would make less sense and the (false) conclusions he comes to wouldn't have the same emotional impact on the reader.
Of course, if a character is struggling with a false belief or has another kind of conflict and they come to the right conclusion about something immediately, that might feel unrealistic to the reader, too, so that would be a good time to at least delay the proper conclusion. That, and the story would be over if it happened that quickly, lol.
Thank you so much for reading 💪
Love that you broke it down in two, when cutting E doesn't work ans when it does. What's that favorite novel? I'm looking into instrospection so it may be a good read. Also, I like characters with loud minds.
Thanks! The novel is Skinless by Anne Social. It's the first in a YA series. It portrays mental health topics, trauma, and narcissistic abuse, so it's definitely a heavier read, but it's also hopeful. I wrote a recommendation for it that includes its list of trigger warnings here: https://spacetasticstories.substack.com/p/book-recommendation-skinless-by-anne
Two thumbs up is a highlight of success 💪