Let's face it, writing a novel is difficult.
After finalizing the conflicts of your novel, coming up with realistic/relatable characters, and finding an environment that works, the only thing left is to write. Arguably, I believe that the hardest part of the writing process is the writing itself. This is because there will be a lot of editing, a lot of rewriting, and more.
With all this being said, let's discuss how to build a scene (with links and resources included)!
First Drafts
If you've done any research on writing before, you know that the first draft is one of the toughest parts of writing. If you haven't already, take a look at "Shitty First Drafts" by Anne Lamott. To summarize, it is perfectly normal to write a shitty first draft. First drafts are not meant to be perfect, they are meant to get the ball rolling! So often we get stuck in the process of writing, trying to edit, format, and write all at the same time. The key to a perfect scene is to write, and to write messily, giving yourself a chance to get the general idea of your story down so it can be revised at a later time.
Point of View
Whether it's the first scene of your book or the last, it is important to establish what your point of view is. You can find an in-depth explanation HERE of the most popular points of view that authors choose to write from.
Point of view is important in each scene, as it should be generally consistent throughout the novel. Oftentimes, you may think you are writing from a specific point of view, then realize later on that pronouns were switched around. It never hurts to brush up on POV every once in a while, as it is "one of the top things a professional editor has to proofread and correct" [2].
Point of view is also important because this allows you, as an author, to withhold or give information to the reader. The first-person point of view usually allows the reader to dive into the mind of a character, whereas this may be omitted in the limited third-person point of view. It allows you to mess around with details and can contribute to a more jarring twist, or a deeper character understanding
Does the Scene Contribute to the Story?
This step might take a bit of outlining beforehand.
The overall plot goal is going to be different from the goal of each scene. Whereas the plot goal can be anything from catching the kidnapper, marrying the mysterious girl next door, or healing from traumatic experiences, scene goals are going to address small conflicts that occur during the character's process of getting to that end goal.
Your character is going to want something in each scene, and they will do things to achieve that goal for each scene. This means wanting something concrete or incorporeal. Your character needs to take action within the story. These wants will lead the character to take certain actions, thus, driving the scene forward.
Just remember, it's important that the small goals still make sense to the overall plot!
Keeping Your Reader's Attention
Just as the beginning and last sentences are important in a novel, so are the first and last sentences of a chapter/scene.
Starting a scene in the middle of an action leads the reader to ask questions, and continue reading to answer said questions. This beginning action can imply, intrigue, or incite emotions from the reader. We, as people, are curious, and as authors, we use this to our advantage. Set the mood, build a strong tone, and the reader will be enticed.
The same tactic can be used at the end of a scene. Ending a scene in the middle of an action will make the reader want to turn the page, leading them deeper into the story. It creates a natural cliffhanger, as well as the use of uncertainty. It is known that "a large part of why we keep reading it is to resolve the unease of not knowing" [4]. Anticipation and suspense are great tools to use when hooking a reader.
One last honorable mention is the use of perspective switching. Utilizing this change can bring a fresh perspective to the story, leading the reader to be intrigued by the new change. They can also keep reading, looking forward to the chapters from their favorite character's POV.
Dialogue
As a reader, dialogue can make or break a scene. It can give the reader insight into a character's point of view and personality. Dialogue is also something that a reader looks for to identify where the action and interaction between characters are.
My suggestion, read it out loud.
There are too many instances where dialogue sounds awkward, and this is because the conversation isn't flowing naturally. Saying the words out loud can help you identify what feels good, and what feels clunky.
It can also be beneficial to mix dialogue with the surrounding narration in the story. Too much dialogue can disorient the reader, making them forget what is physically happening in the scene. This can be solved by using the five senses. Imagining the characters' body language, movements, and specific quirks can add important visuals to the scene.
Add Details / Analyze Time
Sometimes it's hard to know how many details to include within a scene, but think of it this way, you know the story better than your reader. You know what the characters are thinking, their goals, their environment, etc. Someone who is reading a book for the first time, however, needs information to understand what is going on.
I believe it is always better to over-explain. The reader will not learn about the world you have created unless you fit those details into your story. Later on, if you notice that the scene is too lengthy or too wordy, that's where your next step will come in.
It is also important to be aware of the time within the story. If it takes place over the years, your characters' physical appearances will change. Mind their cuts and bruises, you don't want to accidentally cut off the wrong arm or have a bruise switch sides. This will also allow you to think about if time is passing too quickly, or too slowly.
Sometimes it can take forever to write a scene that reads in only a few short minutes. Re-reading is important, as you'll get a sense of how quickly or slowly a scene will pass for the reader.
Edit, Then Edit Again!
The editing process, in my opinion, is one of the most rewarding processes. It is the fine-tuning that makes your story come to life.
Some obvious suggestions for editing are grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Make sure your dialogue is formatted correctly, your periods are placed in the correct parts of the sentences, and don't forget to use spellcheck (or Grammarly)!
The fun part is turning your idea into something digestible and intriguing. You may want to spice up your vocabulary by replacing words with appropriate synonyms and/or antonyms. You get to fix up whatever you like, however, you like. If anything, you can also hire an editor after you've gone through the editing process yourself, and get a second opinion!
Writing a novel is difficult, but we are lucky to have resources available to us 24/7. Don't be afraid to do the research, and learn something new! Scenes are the building blocks of a book, so treat them with importance!
References:
Lamott, Anne. "Shitty First Drafts.” Language Awareness: Readings for College Writers. Ed. By Paul Escholz, Alfred Rosa, and Virginia Clark. 9th ed.
Chesson, Dave. “Writing Point of View: 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th (with Examples).” Kindlepreneur, 16 Aug. 2022, https://kindlepreneur.com/point-of-view/.
Weiland, K.M. “Structuring Your Story's Scenes, Pt. 3: Options for Goals in a Scene.” Helping Writers Become Authors, 5 June 2022, https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/structuring-your-storys-scenes-pt-3/.
Jordan. “Writing Scene Beginnings: 5 Tips to Grab Attention.” Now Novel, 20 Oct. 2021, https://www.nownovel.com/blog/writing-scene-beginnings-grab-attention/.
Write your best with Grammarly. Grammarly. (n.d.). Retrieved November 2, 2022, from https://www.grammarly.com/
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