Now that Christmas break is over, the Go Teen Writers Book Club is back! Today we are discussing Chapter Twelve: Scenes.

Chapter Recap:

In this chapter, Mr. James discusses scenes. He tells us that scenes are not the same as chapters. They might be longer than a chapter, or several scenes might take place in one chapter. Scenes are not simply a list of events that culminate in a story. They’re more like mini stories that—rather than ever ending with closure—they instead end with complications that move the story along toward the conclusion.

In between each scene, interludes connect one scene to another by way of characters responding to what just happened then deciding what to do next. Dwight Swain calls these types of scenes Sequels (click here for a post about Mr. Swain’s Scenes and Sequels). Basically, Sequel scenes consist of the characters’ reaction(s) to what just happened in the previous scene, understanding of the current dilemma they are facing, and a decision of what the characters will do next. Mr. James refers to these as moments for the characters to process, regroup, and make a plan to move forward.

Also discussed in this chapter is how authors must make the decision whether to summarize a situation in a story or to “render it.” This is synonymous with deciding whether to tell a scene or show it. Mr. James advises that if nothing changes during a scene it should be summarized. I found this interesting. I have always chosen to summarize scenes in which little to nothing happened, which matches with Mr. James’s advice, but I also tend to tell scenes that are too graphic because that is a personal preference I have as an author.

Mr. James then discussed try-fail cycles, though he didn’t call them that. He referred to them as “No, and furthermore” or “Yes, but,” crediting Carolyn Wheat and her book How to Writer Killer Fiction.

We also learn about how important it is that the reader knows what the point of view character’s goal is in each scene. Mr. James gives the following six ways to communicate that goal:

1. Have the character plainly state his goal.
2. Have the character indirectly state his goal.
3. Have another character ask the main character what he wants.
4. Reveal what the character wants through his thoughts.
5. Tell readers in narrative.
6. Show readers through the main character’s actions.

Mr. James talks about ending chapters in a good way rather than ending them in a cliché way. Work hard to make sure that your chapter ending moves the story forward, that it deepens the tension in the story, that it doesn’t resolve too much of the story, and that it is fitting for the pace that exists at this part of your story.

What Stood Out:

Mr. James said, “Scenes are not about events, locations, or discussions. They are about things being altered.” I’ve never really thought about scenes this way. I’ve always made a list of events or important conversations, though I do it with the three-act structure in mind and the important beats that need to happen during the course of the story. That said, I am intrigued to try looking at all of my scenes to ensure that something is being altered in each scene. I think that will help me know what to cut or rework in my story.

I also enjoyed the second paragraph on page 168 in which Mr. James talked about writing interludes in a relationship-centered story by using narrative rumination. This type of interlude in this genre takes more space because budding romances and/or tension-filled fights give a lot of fodder for the point of view character to think about.

Tip of the week:

“As you create scenes and build your story, ask what’s at stake. Try to answer why it’s imperative that the character achieves what he has set out to achieve in each scene. Remember, readers want to worry about your protagonist, and they only do that when: 1) they care about him, and 2) they know what he wants.” ~Steven James

Go Teen Writers Archived Articles to Help You Go Deeper:

Writing in Scenes
Why Every Scene Should Be About Your Core Story
How to Craft High Impact Scenes for Your Stories, Part One
How to Craft High Impact Scenes for Your Stories, Part Two
Try-Fail Cycles
Try-Fail Cycles: the “Yes, but” or “No, and” Method to Create Plot Twists

Questions: Answer at least one of the following (or as many as you’d like).

• Do your scenes have endings that drive your story forward? Is something meaningful altered? If not, would you change the scene to fix it or delete the scene altogether?

• Do you know what your point of view character wants in each scene? How have you communicated that goal to the reader?

• Any questions?