Dreaming up Sevia (Random Writing Tip #2)

A story is made of words, obviously, which form sentences, which form paragraphs, which form scenes. As you plan your story, it might be helpful to think of each scene in it as a step forward on the journey from the Beginning to the Challenge to the Climax to the Resolution to the End.

Each scene should leave your hero/heroine in a new position. For example, if a scene began well, events should take a turn for the worse. If it began badly, either things should start looking up or they should get really bad.

Begin your scene at the last possible moment, and end it as soon as it has accomplished its purpose in the larger story. Then move on to the next one.

Maybe you’ve just finished writing a scene, and it’s full of great description and funny dialogue, but it’s not moving your story, or your readers, along on the journey you’ve created for them. It’s painful, but you need to cut it out, or re-write it so it does move the story forward.