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Hello all, how’s everyone doing?
Recently, while writing my first draft for my WIP, I have been struggling with scenes actually connecting to each other and running in a smooth way that makes sense. Additionally, I feel like I’m forcing my characters to do something without actually letting them decide and let their decisions have consequences. Any tips?
Tags: @linus-smallprint @ellette-giselle @theducktator @whalekeeper @rae @raxforge @jonas @loopylin @savannah_grace2009 @anyone else
“Our house is full of ducks!!!!”
Hmm, It’s hard to know when I don’t know the story, but I would say that right now all you need to focus on is getting draft 1 fully on paper. From there you can go back and make changes/rewrites/connect things/etc.
That’s my tip. Having the whole story there helps you see the big picture, and it’s much easier to work off of the finished thing.
No half-heartedness and no worldly fear must turn us aside from following the light unflinchingly.
*Thinks hard* Well for me, while watching movies or reading, each scene has a character decision in it, or at least it reveals something new about a character. In this way, it’s like each scene has a mini plot point that sets up the new status quo for the next scene.
For example: Scene 1: Joe debates between two scenarios, and decides he wants to live a life of falsehood and pretend he likes pizza so Anna will date him. This establishes that Joe will change his own identity to have a relationship. Scene 2: Anna notices Joe’s wishy-washy opinions, but because she has strong opinions about who she is, she decides to push him into an identity. As the daughter of the billionaire who owns the pizza chain, whe knows of the underground fighting ring hosted by the top restaurant, and sends him there. Scene 3: Notably, here, Joe decides to do nothing of his own will. He enters the fighting ring simply because someone else told him to.
Each scene has one important decision. This is a complete set up for an inciting incident, caused by Joe’s fatal flaw. He is floppier than a thin-crust all-cheese pizza, and now he’s stuck in a plot because of it.
That’s pretty much all I have to say for scenes. XD Sometimes it’s hard to think up a progressive ‘decision’ for the scene, but it begins to make more sense over time.
"If I don't like something, it's probably sanctification. Ugh." -E.C.S.
I wouldn’t call myself a source as far as plots and scenes but do have one thing to say
Additionally, I feel like I’m forcing my characters to do something without actually letting them decide
This sounds like you don’t know your characters well enough. Maybe work a little more on character development and getting comfy in your character cloak. When you know how your character feels, often the scene will feel like it’s writing itself, at least for me. I often have a general idea of how I want the scene to go, then let my character take over the show, nudging them in the correct direction.
Anyways, that’s all I got. Probably not helpful, but in case it slightly is, I’ll still post this.
You need French Toast.
#AnduthForever (💕)I would consider getting out a blank doc or piece of paper and writing what you know about the story on it. Sometimes it’s definitely hard to know where to go after scenes, and knowing the main goal of your story and what’s going to happen will help. I used to just write whatever I felt like, but for TCOH I’ve actually figured out a lot about the story, which allowed me to write up a chapter-guide (really simple, each one just has a sentence or two that tells me what’s going to happen so I have a basic idea of how to write it.) I basically am seconding Ellette and Rae and suggesting that you know your story. Sometimes, that just means randomly getting all your thoughts down on to paper so you can figure out what’s happening. This will also help you figure out which scenes you need to write, which will give them a point and help them connect to the rest of the story.
"Don't shine so that others can see you. Shine so that through you, others can see Him." ~ C. S.
I’m going to kind of repeat what other people have said. Get to know your characters better. Often when I’m stuck and I don’t know what characters would do but have an idea of where I want/need them to go, I will quickly make up a list showing the thoughts in each character’s heads like this:
Brother
- Really would like some ice cream with his friends right now
- Also feels like he should help his sister clean up her room
- Is mad at his sister, because she always seems to need his help when he’s about to have fun
Sister
- Needs her room cleaned up from all the small choking hazard toys before the toddler she is babysitting is dropped off
- Is in distress because of her busy schedule with school exams and babysitting
- Feels terrible about always asking her brother for help, but sees no other way
- Is angry at her brother because he is part of the reason the mess is there in the first palce
Often as I am doing this, it helps something to click about the characters and suddenly their motivations or reasons fall into place and I can write the scene much more naturally. (Although this may just be something that works for me, but you could still try it to see if it works for you)
I think Ellette’s suggestion of finishing the whole story first is a good one.
Sometimes it is necessary to paint the sky black in order to see the stars.
Okay, thank you. My dad (who is also a writer) has very similar advice, and says that no matter how bad the writing may be, it’s best to get your thoughts and ideas down and then edit.
Each scene has one important decision. This is a complete set up for an inciting incident, caused by Joe’s fatal flaw. He is floppier than a thin-crust all-cheese pizza, and now he’s stuck in a plot because of it.
Love the example, thanks!!
This is very helpful, thank you. I do need to get to know my characters a bit more because as of right now they are newish.
I will try this, thanks!
Thank you, I will try this as well and all of the strategies mentioned above.
@everyone
I’m considering posting the chapters on KP, just the only thing holding me back are some sensitive topics or ideas such as bullying and facial trauma (main character was burned in a fire to the face, kind of like Zuko from ATLA).
“Our house is full of ducks!!!!”
If you post a trigger warning and the content isn’t too violent, it’s probably totally fine.
"Don't shine so that others can see you. Shine so that through you, others can see Him." ~ C. S.
Okay, thanks. The content isn’t too violent (not yet at least), the most aggressive thing a character has done is slap someone in the face, but that’s it lol.
“Our house is full of ducks!!!!”
Yeah, as long as you put a TW, I don’t think it matters.
Our house is full of ducks!!!!
What?? XD
"Don't shine so that others can see you. Shine so that through you, others can see Him." ~ C. S.
I’ve written way worse than people getting slapped in the face XDXD
And I know several KP’ers who have written abuse, trauma, etc. So don’t be afraid to post sensitive topics as long as you put a trigger warning! That’s my personal opinion <3
This lady thrives on the divine grace of Faith and the rich embrace of caffeine.
Yeah, as long as you put a TW, I don’t think it matters.
Okay, perfect. First, have to clear out all of the uh… wonderful writing before posting it.
What?? XD
Lol, I was rewatching an episode from Martha Speaks (I don’t care if it’s for kids it’s one of the greatest shows ever), and this line really spoke to me.
And I know several KP’ers who have written abuse, trauma, etc. So don’t be afraid to post sensitive topics as long as you put a trigger warning! That’s my personal opinion <3
Okay, thanks!!
“Our house is full of ducks!!!!”
Yeppp!!!
This lady thrives on the divine grace of Faith and the rich embrace of caffeine.
First, have to clear out all of the uh… wonderful writing before posting it.
XD
Lol, I was rewatching an episode from Martha Speaks (I don’t care if it’s for kids it’s one of the greatest shows ever), and this line really spoke to me.
Oh my goodness *brings back memories* We used to love that show. But I don’t remember that line, sadly xD
"Don't shine so that others can see you. Shine so that through you, others can see Him." ~ C. S.
Oh my goodness *brings back memories* We used to love that show. But I don’t remember that line, sadly xD
Finally, someone else who’s watched it!! That is sad, it’s a good line lol. There’s so many good lines from the show XD
“Our house is full of ducks!!!!”
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