Comments on: Defining a Scene http://www.redchurch.com/quantum/2006/08/22/defining-a-scene/ The Probabilities of Storytelling Sun, 13 Dec 2009 23:30:19 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Almost Hypergraphic » The Writer’s Pensieve http://www.redchurch.com/quantum/2006/08/22/defining-a-scene/comment-page-1/#comment-285 Almost Hypergraphic » The Writer’s Pensieve Fri, 25 Aug 2006 04:00:44 +0000 http://www.redchurch.com/quantum/2006/08/22/defining-a-scene/#comment-285 [...] After I got through chapter 21, I stopped and took a look at my StoryLines file.  I updated it as necessary, and then added a column after 21, so I could push all my other chapter columns back without having to rearrange them by hand.  In my notebook, I sketched out what needed to happen in the next chapter, scene for scene.  Eric over at Quantum Storytelling has a post dealing with this.  In the comments section of that post, he says, “…I like to know the Who, When, Where, What, Why before I begin a scene. Otherwise I feel the scene is probably placeholder, filler, junk, or simply the wrong direction because I didn’t know where I was headed to begin with, etc.” [...] [...] After I got through chapter 21, I stopped and took a look at my StoryLines file.  I updated it as necessary, and then added a column after 21, so I could push all my other chapter columns back without having to rearrange them by hand.  In my notebook, I sketched out what needed to happen in the next chapter, scene for scene.  Eric over at Quantum Storytelling has a post dealing with this.  In the comments section of that post, he says, “…I like to know the Who, When, Where, What, Why before I begin a scene. Otherwise I feel the scene is probably placeholder, filler, junk, or simply the wrong direction because I didn’t know where I was headed to begin with, etc.” [...]

]]> By: Writer Unboxed » Blog Archive » Linktopia: Scribblers Edition http://www.redchurch.com/quantum/2006/08/22/defining-a-scene/comment-page-1/#comment-284 Writer Unboxed » Blog Archive » Linktopia: Scribblers Edition Thu, 24 Aug 2006 18:12:01 +0000 http://www.redchurch.com/quantum/2006/08/22/defining-a-scene/#comment-284 [...] But I’m not sure how I feel about this alleged “Top Ten Blogs About Writing and Publishing” entry if WU isn’t on it, but there are some links to good blogs by industry insiders (h/t Pubrants), and I found this guy who isn’t shy about his disdain for La Snark (warning: expletive-filled, venomous and hilarious) . . . . Eric shows us a nifty way of organizing your story before you start writing . . . . this disturbs me so much I can’t even begin to explain . . . . Bookdwarf wades into the bitchslap war going on in the chick-lit genre, as does Paperback Writer . . . . [...] [...] But I’m not sure how I feel about this alleged “Top Ten Blogs About Writing and Publishing” entry if WU isn’t on it, but there are some links to good blogs by industry insiders (h/t Pubrants), and I found this guy who isn’t shy about his disdain for La Snark (warning: expletive-filled, venomous and hilarious) . . . . Eric shows us a nifty way of organizing your story before you start writing . . . . this disturbs me so much I can’t even begin to explain . . . . Bookdwarf wades into the bitchslap war going on in the chick-lit genre, as does Paperback Writer . . . . [...]

]]> By: Eric http://www.redchurch.com/quantum/2006/08/22/defining-a-scene/comment-page-1/#comment-283 Eric Thu, 24 Aug 2006 13:34:17 +0000 http://www.redchurch.com/quantum/2006/08/22/defining-a-scene/#comment-283 I do it this way because I've tried most the other ways and, as you point out Kathleen, they lead to revision hell. I don't think it's impossible to make all the decisions that need to be made for a scene, before you write it. A lot of people bank on the 'unexpected discovery' and I'm sure as I rewrite further ideas will bubble to the surface. But the characters, setting, and conflict of a scene are something you can decide well in advance. HOW that conflict plays out in it's various flavors or forms is what you can explore in the writing. But I like to know the Who, When, Where, What, Why before I begin a scene. Otherwise I feel the scene is probably placeholder, filler, junk, or simply the wrong direction because I didn't know where I was headed to begin with, etc. I do it this way because I’ve tried most the other ways and, as you point out Kathleen, they lead to revision hell.

I don’t think it’s impossible to make all the decisions that need to be made for a scene, before you write it. A lot of people bank on the ‘unexpected discovery’ and I’m sure as I rewrite further ideas will bubble to the surface. But the characters, setting, and conflict of a scene are something you can decide well in advance. HOW that conflict plays out in it’s various flavors or forms is what you can explore in the writing.

But I like to know the Who, When, Where, What, Why before I begin a scene. Otherwise I feel the scene is probably placeholder, filler, junk, or simply the wrong direction because I didn’t know where I was headed to begin with, etc.

]]> By: Jennifer http://www.redchurch.com/quantum/2006/08/22/defining-a-scene/comment-page-1/#comment-282 Jennifer Thu, 24 Aug 2006 11:25:20 +0000 http://www.redchurch.com/quantum/2006/08/22/defining-a-scene/#comment-282 I find it interesting how everyone works. I do outlines. I know approximately how many chapters I'll have and then as my story works itself out I fill in chapters (which are kind of like the 'scenes' in a way) Once I have the rough outline of the scenes then I start writing and that's when I really start to fill things in. That's when characters I didn't have plans for suddenly tell me they have staying power...when initial ideas change...when I flesh out ideas or totally ditch them. I find it interesting how everyone works. I do outlines. I know approximately how many chapters I’ll have and then as my story works itself out I fill in chapters (which are kind of like the ’scenes’ in a way)

Once I have the rough outline of the scenes then I start writing and that’s when I really start to fill things in. That’s when characters I didn’t have plans for suddenly tell me they have staying power…when initial ideas change…when I flesh out ideas or totally ditch them.

]]> By: Kathleen Bolton http://www.redchurch.com/quantum/2006/08/22/defining-a-scene/comment-page-1/#comment-281 Kathleen Bolton Thu, 24 Aug 2006 10:15:03 +0000 http://www.redchurch.com/quantum/2006/08/22/defining-a-scene/#comment-281 Heh, you're really organized about this. I write the scene first, then split it up. Which explains why I'm in Revision Hell right now. Good post. Heh, you’re really organized about this. I write the scene first, then split it up. Which explains why I’m in Revision Hell right now. Good post.

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