If you want to write compelling scenes, you might think of each scene as a wave.
Writing Tip for Today: Fiction writers can write better scenes that serve the story with these “wave” tips:
Create a Storm
When you give readers at least a hint of your character’s Main Goal, you are like a weather forecaster: you’re promising that a big storm is coming, so batten down the hatches. The larger the storm—i.e. the more meaningful and far-ranging the goal—the more readers are liable to sign on for the journey.
As you build your world and show us what the character wants, what stands in the way (obstacles) and what the character is willing to do to obtain the goal, the story should unfold scene-to-scene. At first, the storm might be far off or not a threat. But within each scene, you’ll build a mini-storm that does two things: show the character trying and failing (at first) and keep the story moving toward bigger and bigger storm clouds or battles.
Every scene you write must somehow echo that Main Goal. At the same time, the scene must have its own set-up (where, when and who’s on stage), build-up (the main conflict or tug-of-war with an opposing force) and a pay-off (some kind of resolution that propels the character to the next scene.
The Ripples
As we’ve discussed before, if your Story Goal impacts more than the character, the more weight that goal will have with readers. I like to think of these ripples as concentric circles of impact—each spreading out from the character to the immediate relationships, then the community, nation, world, etc.
In the ACT I scenes, you’ll be dramatizing more of these ripples. Avoid posing questions or goals that don’t somehow reflect the Main Goal. Your Main Character must demonstrate a passion to fulfill the goal.
Unlike real life, effective stories don’t allow for characters to wander around for no reason. Even subplots should illuminate your character’s determination and qualities that help him keep on trying to win that Main Goal. Let each scene gradually build bigger and more important waves as readers near the climax.
Your Main Character must have a deep passion for the Goal.
Crashing Waves
I once had a dream where I looked out a window and a giant tsunami was approaching. The waves were as tall as the skyline. In the dream, I panicked, ready to fight for my life. This dream illustrates the hopeless “All is Lost” moment that should occur just before the climax. Readers should worry about what comes next.
And what comes next is a Main Character who draws upon their hidden strength to fight one last time. By instilling a “what if?” just before the Climax, you can draw out the biggest emotional response from your readers. The climax will seem worthy, both for the adversary and the protagonist.
Writing scenes like waves should always leave your character somehow different at each scene’s end. Like a surfer, that character can try a new angle in the next scene. All these waves—from ripples to tsunamis—should build logically and gradually to serve the rising action and the character’s growth and change.
