Category Archives: scene writing

Know When to Summarize

Jul 28, 2014 eleven elements of a scene, how to write, novel writing, scene writing, summarize 2 Comments
Know When to Summarize

Scene writing takes skill. Writers must employ the basic elements of a scene, but if the scene is not important, it may be a waste of time. Knowing when to hold ’em (onstage) and when to fold ’em (by summarizing) will propel your story into the stratosphere! Writing Tip for Today: How can writers know […]

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Novel Pacing: Three Crucial Elements

Jul 23, 2014 how to write, novel writing, pace, pacing in scenes, rate of revelation, scene writing 5 Comments
Novel Pacing: Three Crucial Elements

Of all the skills involved in writing a novel, satisfactory pacing must happen or else it’s highly unlikely that  readers will stick around. You, as writer, are a manager. You control the rate that your story is unfolded. Make sure you manage the readers’ time wisely. Writing Tip for Today: Identifying three important levels where […]

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Scene Writing: Avoid the Situation Room

Jul 21, 2014 cinematic scene writing, how to write, novel writing, scene writing, Situation Room scenes, tension in fiction 2 Comments
Scene Writing: Avoid the Situation Room

A writer I once taught was working on a novel about war in the Middle East. The characters were well-drawn and the writer was skilled in writing dialogue. The problem was, instead of actual battles, the scenes were about what the military guys were planning to do. The officers stood around in the “situation room,” […]

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