To create exciting strong scenes – make sure they vary from
quiet to loud. Lackluster to exciting. Emotional to in-control. Highs to lows. Happy to sad.
Yet, they all must fit together like pieces of a puzzle. Everything should snap into place and fit –
nothing should stick out at odd angles.
Every part of the story should contribute and move the story forward, making
it complete.
I don’t know about you, but I like to put myself in my
character’s body, living the scene with his/her baggage, experience, flaws, and
attributes. Do the situations or
challenges feel ‘real’? What doesn’t
feel believable? You will know what
needs changing by running your scenes through your mind like a movie – you are
the character – living, breathing, and experiencing each scene you’ve
created.
You’ll find yourself rewriting - adding spontaneity from the
character you’ve become. You’ll make
changes that transition the story better.
Step-by-step, you’ll feel, hear, touch, taste, and see yourself in the
scenes of your character. Do you believe
them? Did you miss any of the
senses? Add them in and you’ll be
surprised how this will improve your story.
If a scene feels confusing or uncomfortable – fix them. Never leave them in hopes the reader won’t
notice – believe me, they will. Add deep
internal emotion and allow your characters to have flaws that hinder their
goals . . . making them realize they must change to have what they need or want
by the end of the book.
You should laugh, cry, and get angry if that’s what the
character experiences. If the words
don’t evoke this . . . rewrite . . . rewrite . . . and rewrite until you find
yourself crying . . . laughing . . . and ticked with the world if need be. If you don’t feel it when you write it – the
reader won’t feel it when they read it.
It’s as simple as that.
Grab your reader right from the beginning . . . and don’t let go
until you type ‘the end.’
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