Overview Plot Development: Scene

Workshop: An Introduction to Writing for Children and Young Adults

“A good story is an experience with people in which someone turns a corner or a hair.”

                                                                                                                        Sidney Cox

Scene-Sequel

A workshop I took with author Donna Fletcher Crow helped me to grasp the concept by the way she set it up. I still refer to my notes when I need a reminder.

            Scene: is External.

                         is the active action of the plot

                         is where the character has a goal which meets conflict which ends in disaster.

            Sequel: is Internal

is the reaction of the character in his/her POV.  What happened? How    do I feel?

is the dilemma for the character asking, What do I do now? What choices do I have? (to develop this you can ask as a series of questions and see what is the motivation is for each)

                             is the decision/goal for next scene. (good if you can make an action)

There needs to be at least one scene—sequel per chapter and sometimes three. Reader age and story question will guide that decision. Sometimes the scene—sequel will work with alternating chapters if a story lends itself to that style.

According to Swain, the scene is a unit of conflict. It organizes conflict, telescopes reality, and intensifies them.

The big moments in the story are scenes which give a blow-by-blow account re conflict. The purpose is to provide interest and to move the story forward. Time unifies the scene-live through it. For example in a fight scene that is going on the character will not usually take time here to reminisce.

A goal in a scene is a decision to act by your character. An implicit goal is of resistance. An explicit goal is of achievement.  Goals include possession of something, relief from something, or revenge for something.

Then disaster can come in the form of new information received, (airline is on strike) or an unanticipated third party causes difficulty and forces the character to change goals (uninvited guest shows up at party at the restaurant). Keep goals short term.

Action Steps:

1.     Choose a scene from a book you have been reading in your reader age category and track the goals and big moments. Are they in sync?

2.     Take one of your own scenes and write it in two versions: one zoom-in and one zoom-out.

Share: Which gives the most effective emotional resonance?

Read deep, marcy

Write with Impact Definition: Action

Mythic Impact

“The fiction writer must take responsibility for choosing how the reader will experience the story, because the choices the writer makes will, according to Schorer, be the story’s meaning.” Jack Hodgins

The cause-effect structure decisions will impact your reader’s emotional experience. Hodgins says we are like floor designers who decide what kind of journey it will be.  If we push our reader to a cosmetic counter via a fishmarket or a toy department, he says, we will leave quite a different impression. The writer needs to choose the techniques that will allow the strength of the story to unfold organically—unique to itself.

Do we know who the murderer is from the beginning and watch how the detective brings him to justice, like an Inspector Columbo? Or do we analyze and deduce and ponder along with a Miss Marple? Each style will provide a different perspective both emotionally and mentally. What meaning do we want to linger long after?

The structure choices run throughout each scene. Jordan E. Rosenfeld notes that each scene is to mark an experience and not a lecture. The emphasis of each aspect should reflect the intended design. Intention=impact.

A suspense scene should open with immediate concern for your character. Action scenes need to be quick and intense driven with a sense of urgency. A dialogue scene carries a main purpose of revealing character or plot or backstory. Are your characters going to argue, accuse, declare love, plead for forgiveness, or lay down a challenge?

Think of the timeless stories you have know since childhood. What makes them stick? The ebb and flow of drama and stillness? The cadence of the reader or protagonist breathing their fear or purpose into your own heart beating alongside each step they take?

Word choices, atmosphere, tone and pacing can all be influenced by mythic qualities of significance. Sometimes one word will be sufficient. Sometimes an entire scene or chapter needs to be painted with precise brush strokes.

What do you want the reader to experience? What need so to linger long after the final page? Those decisions bring about action with impact.

Share: What action by a key character in a book or movie have you always remembered? Why?

Read deep, marcy