Scene development is important in your short story, but new writers find it hard to write a convincing scene. Here are tips on writing a scene.
By Lanee' Blunt
New writers find writing short story scenes difficult. The problem is that they don’t stay in the character’s point of view and shift in and out of view points. Another problem might be that you don’t describe enough of the setting to have a vivid story, or you describe too much.
Your scene in your mind is sometimes different than what you’ve intended to write. You may never be able to put down on paper exactly what you want to say. Scene development is done correctly when the reader’s imagination lets them picture the scene you’ve written. According to John Gardner, in his book, The Art of Fiction, “He makes the scene vivid in the reader’s mind; that is, he encourages the reader to “dream” the event with enormous clarity, by presenting as many concrete details as possible.”
The Setting in the Scene is Important
When you write your scene think about a play, and how the stage director sets up each important scene, bringing in what is needed, props, sound and setting. What is the weather like? Is the story taken place in the morning or night? Is she at home? What room is she in? Sounds are a good point in scene development, the bus roars down the main street.
The Point of View in Your Scene is Crucial
Are you writing in first person point of view? First person makes it impossible for the writer to enter into other character’s mind in the short story. Don’t switch from view point to view point through out your short story.
The Scene as a Camera
Think of your scene as a camera and what do you see when you are looking into the lens of that camera. Only that one view. Don’t think about the next scene describe the scene you are working on completely before moving on to the next scene.
Describe the Opening of Your Scene
The beginning of the scene should not start so far back where the scene will be slow. Describe the opening where the action takes place and then begin your scene. The opening of the scene can begin with dialogue, or setting it is up to you.
The Climax of Your Scene is Important
What is going to be the most exciting point of your scene? You should plan it before you write the scene or at least think about it? Once you get the scene going then build toward the climax and don’t hold back; if it’s a fight scene then describe it blow by blow, or if it’s a romance describe that first kiss with detail.
The more you write the better you will get at scene development.
Reference:
John Gardner; The Art of Fiction; Vintage Books
