DOES A SCENE BELONG? Here is an excellent question to ask of a scene in order to test its value: Can the scene be removed from the story without the story being substantially altered? Can you still understand what is going on without it? If so, reconsider its purpose—even if it’s wildly entertaining. An incredibly entertaining piece of music or business that adds no value to your story plunked down in the middle of a show will definitely cause it to stand out—for all the wrong reasons.
