Summary of "How to *actually* write a scene for a fiction book"
Writing Scenes in Fiction: Practical Guidance by Tara East
Tara East, an academic, writer, and writing teacher, offers practical advice for writing scenes in fiction. Her guidance addresses common challenges writers face when transitioning from ideas to actual scene writing. While scene construction varies depending on the story, some core concepts and techniques can help develop and revise scenes effectively.
Key Artistic Techniques, Concepts, and Creative Processes
Balancing Showing vs. Telling (Scene vs. Summary)
- Showing is used to slow the pace, emphasize important moments, and reveal character traits, themes, or plot points.
- Telling summarizes less important or familiar actions/events quickly or subtly introduces clues without spotlighting them.
- The choice depends on the scene’s intention and the desired effect on the reader.
Description
- Description style varies by personal writing style and genre.
- General guideline:
- Describe unfamiliar elements in detail.
- Mention familiar elements briefly.
- Use a few specific, precise details to evoke a full scene and build imagery without slowing the pace.
- Description can signal narrative importance (e.g., Jane Austen’s detailed description of Pemberley marks a turning point).
- It shapes reader perception of setting, character, and mood.
Tension (Conflict or Contrast)
- Tension can be:
- External: Outside forces acting on the character.
- Internal: Character’s personal struggles or flaws.
- Scenes may have high or low tension; both are valid depending on story needs.
- External and internal tensions can be linked or contrasted to increase complexity.
- Tension usually builds toward the story’s climax where conflicts collide.
Narrative Drive
- The element that pushes the story forward and keeps readers engaged.
- Created by:
- Planting questions or mysteries.
- Introducing plans or upcoming events.
- Revealing new information or challenges.
- Especially important in quieter scenes with less overt tension.
- Maintains reader curiosity about what happens next.
Character Agency and Obstacles
- Every scene should show the character making decisions (conscious or subconscious).
- Characters face obstacles or challenges that create conflict and drive the scene.
- This interaction reveals character and advances the plot.
Scene Structure
- Mirrors overall story structure but on a smaller scale:
- Beginning: Establish setting, characters, and current situation.
- Middle: Complicate the situation, reveal motivations, introduce new information or challenges.
- End: Provide closure or a cliffhanger to propel the reader forward.
- Use a mix of closure and cliffhangers throughout the novel.
Contrast Within Scenes
- Create micro-tensions by placing the protagonist in contrast or opposition to other characters.
- Builds conflict and makes scenes more compelling.
- Example: Lee Bardugo’s The Familia demonstrates effective use of character opposition.
Purposeful Scene Content
- Always question why a scene or piece of information is included.
- Ensure each scene serves the overall narrative arc or character development.
- Scene construction varies greatly depending on writing style, genre, and audience.
Writing Process Advice
- Draft scenes with joy and playfulness, postponing heavy editing.
- Use revision to refine scenes, enhance tension, clarify narrative drive, and tighten description.
Summary of Practical Advice
- Balance showing and telling to support scene intentions.
- Describe unfamiliar elements specifically; keep familiar descriptions minimal.
- Build tension through external/internal conflicts and character contrasts.
- Maintain narrative drive by planting questions and pushing the story forward.
- Structure scenes with a clear beginning, middle, and end.
- Include character decisions and obstacles in every scene.
- Reflect on the purpose of every scene in the context of the whole story.
- Write first drafts freely; revise thoughtfully.
Creator Featured
- Tara East — academic, writer, teacher, author of Every Time He Dies
Recommended Reference
- The Familia by Lee Bardugo (example of character opposition technique)
Category
Art and Creativity
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