Welcome to the ever-raging, miserable debate, Ink Jars. Here's the promised question: "What scenes should I save in my book and which should I delete?"
Now, it depends on what you're writing. If you're writing a short story, the less scenes you have, the better. It's the same with a book. When selecting which scenes to "kill" or "save" ask yourself this question:
"Is this scene important to the plot?"
Right here I know a couple of you are flinching--as was I when I first heard that question, but don't worry! I'm about to give you a couple ways of fixing it! Anyway, when hearing that question, you might just assume it's talking about how the scene aids to the moving along of the plot! This, however, is NOT it! In a short story (as stated earlier) it's wise to get rid of anything without purpose--even DIALOG!!! But, in a book or novel, it's a little more flexible. Maybe the question I should ask is: is this scene important to the reader? Will they need this information? How will the introducing of this particular thing benefit them?
The whole point of a story is to tell a story! Surprise, I know! So maybe your scene doesn't "keep the plot moving" but maybe it does introduce and help your reader get to know the characters! It could just be giving some background! Anyway, I sometimes find that my scenes REALLY don't have a part in the plot or character/ scene development! What do I do? Cheat. Well, technically it's not "cheating". You're still just writing! The thing to do is make the scene important. Think ahead in the plot. What can be added earlier to "foreshadow" (or "hint") to those coming events? Or take a look at your character profiles and see if there is anything that you can introduce about their past or weaknesses which comes in later!
Maybe your "iffy scene" is in the middle of some really REALLY dark, miserable stuff, and it doesn't seem to fit. I find that this can actually be the PERFECT place to place some of these scenes because 1# it shows how--though this struggle has changed the characters--they are still themselves and 2# it gives your reader a mini change of scenery, lightens the mood and brings back some good memories! You could even use this scene to set up for a character death! Let's say that character A has always enjoyed drawing portraits, but because of this terrible event, they haven't been able to. Character B could remind them in this reprieve of that old hobby. Maybe when Character B dies in battle, his last words could be something like: "Will you draw a portrait of Bruno (HIS DOG) for me?" I actually used something very similar to this recently and it gave my heart a little lurch.
There are some scenes which are just flat out unnecessary and you can scrap them--though it can be hard. REMEMBER one Professor Lewis' favorite rules? It is: Never (ever, ever, ever, ever, EVER) completely delete something!!! ALWAYS save it to your "story ideas" or "piece of stories" document. You may find that it fits into another book or later in the story!
Thank you for reading! I really appreciate your comments, votes and time! I do have a request for the next chapter which will be on "Descriptions" but I am looking for ideas for following chapters!!! Feel free to message me if you have any!!!
Your faithful writer, Lewis
YOU ARE READING
Lewis' Book of Reviews and Writing Advice
RandomEver looking for a good story on wattpad? Or looking for an HONEST review of your book? You've come to the "write place." Join me, Lewis, for an interactive, new book review and advice center. Maybe you don't need me to review your book, but I might...
