Hello Writers! As we continue to turn the pages on our writing journey, today we’re diving deep into one of storytelling’s foundational elements—the scene. While many new writers focus on chapters, the real magic happens when we zero in on scenes. Scenes aren’t just the building blocks of your narrative; they’re the moments where your characters live, breathe, and act. They’re where your plot twists and turns, surprising and engaging your readers. By mastering scene crafting, you ensure your story pulses with life at every turn. Today, we’ll explore why scenes trump chapters and how you can master this art to enhance your storytelling.

Why Write in Scenes?
Writing in scenes rather than chapters is a transformative approach to storytelling. Each scene serves as a mini-story with its own arc, tension, and resolutions that drive the overall plot forward. Think of each scene as a vivid snapshot capturing a moment in time where the emotions, tensions, and dynamics of your characters come to life. According to BBC Maestro, these are the moments that provide your story with texture and depth, allowing characters to react and relationships to evolve in real-time. By concentrating on these intense bursts of narrative, you maintain momentum and keep your readers engaged from start to finish, ensuring that every scene contributes to weaving powerful chapters. Once you have all your scenes written, then you can piece them together into chapters like a patchwork quilt. When writing, especially your first draft, do not write or think in chapters.

The Non-Linear Path to Creativity and Freedom of Writing
Embrace the freedom of non-linear writing to unlock your creative potential. You don’t need to write your book in chronological order. Instead, allow yourself to write scenes as they come to you, capturing the spontaneity of your thoughts and the immediacy of your creative impulses. This approach can be a powerful remedy for writer’s block, as it lets your creativity flow without the constraints of a rigid structure. By piecing together your narrative puzzle one scene at a time, you can always rearrange the scenes later to ensure a cohesive and engaging narrative unfolds from these vivid snapshots of your imagination. This method not only maintains the flow of your story but also keeps the momentum going, making each scene a critical part of the overall plot development.

TIP: Using the Navigation Panel in Microsoft Word is a Game Changer
Discover the game-changing benefits of using the Navigation Panel in Microsoft Word to organize your scenes more effectively. Not only does it display all your scenes by their header names, allowing for swift navigation and reorganization, but this simple yet powerful tool also significantly streamlines your writing process. Embrace this feature to save time and enhance your writing efficiency, making it easier to manage complex narratives or adjust your story’s flow on the fly.

Here’s how to set it up and use it effectively:

Activate the Navigation Panel:
Go to the ‘View’ tab in Microsoft Word and check the box for ‘Navigation Pane’.

Use Heading Styles:
Start each scene with a heading. You can do this by highlighting the scene title and applying a heading style from the ‘Styles’ menu on the ‘Home’ tab.

Write Your Scene:
Under each heading, write the corresponding scene. Keep your scenes clearly separated by these headings.

Navigate Between Scenes:
The Navigation Pane will display all your headings, allowing you to quickly jump between scenes.

Rearrange Scenes:
If you need to reorder any part of your manuscript, simply drag and drop the headings within the Navigation Pane.

TIP: On-the-Go Inspiration: Utilizing Voice Notes
Ever had a scene pop into your head at the most inconvenient times? Maybe while driving or taking a walk? Here’s a tip: Use your phone’s voice-to-text feature to capture those thoughts. Most smartphones have an app like iNotes where you can talk your scene out. Later, you can email these voice notes to yourself and easily incorporate them into your manuscript. It’s like having a digital notepad in your pocket!

TIP: Dream a Little Dream of Scenes
If a particular scene or chapter is giving you trouble, try immersing yourself in your draft before bedtime. Reading your work at this time can subconsciously prime your brain to process creative solutions as you sleep, often leading to breakthroughs in your narrative. Many writers find that solutions or even entire scenes come to them in their dreams. Give it a try—you might be surprised at the creativity your brain can muster while you sleep!

Conclusion
Remember, each scene you write brings your story vibrantly to life, serving as a crucial brushstroke on the expansive canvas of your narrative. Whether you’re crafting dialogue in a cozy café or plotting a twist under the vast, starlit sky, every scene enriches your tale with deeper texture and thrilling suspense.

Focusing on scenes not only sustains a dynamic rhythm but also ensures each chapter of your story thrums with genuine emotion and profound depth. Embrace these tips, and watch your narrative evolve into an enthralling saga that captivates and delights. So, keep writing, keep dreaming, and let each scene you craft be a window into the vibrant world you’re eager to share.

 

RESOURCES

Savannah Gilbo’s Podcast
Podcast Name: Fiction Writing Made Easy
General Summary: This podcast hosted by Savannah Gilbo focuses on simplifying the process of writing fiction. It’s aimed at both new and seasoned writers and covers everything from creating compelling characters to the nuances of publishing.
URL: https://www.savannahgilbo.com/podcast

Podcast Title: Understanding Scene Structure
Summary: This episode breaks down the essential components of a scene, exploring how each element contributes to the story’s progression. Savannah Gilbo discusses the importance of scene structure in enhancing narrative flow and maintaining reader engagement. She provides practical advice on how to analyze and construct scenes that effectively move the plot forward.
Podcast Name: Savannah Gilbo – Writers in the Trenches
URL: https://podcast.savannahgilbo.com/791087/13627913

Podcast Title: The Secrets to Crafting Powerful Scenes
Summary: Savannah reveals strategies for embedding conflict and emotion into scenes, emphasizing their role in captivating the audience. This episode offers insights into the dynamics of scene crafting, from developing tension to enhancing character depth, aimed at making each page a compelling read. Listeners will learn how to utilize these techniques to make their narratives more engaging and impactful.
Podcast Name: Savannah Gilbo – Writers in the Trenches
URL: https://podcast.savannahgilbo.com/791087/8017799 

Podcast Title: Revise Like a Pro: Tips for Editing Your Scenes
Summary: This episode focuses on refining your scenes through effective editing techniques. Savannah discusses the revision process, highlighting how to assess and enhance scenes to better serve the story’s objectives and engage readers. The guidance provided helps writers understand the critical aspects of revision from pacing to character development.
Podcast Name: Savannah Gilbo – Writers in the Trenches
URL: https://podcast.savannahgilbo.com/791087/12148755

Podcast Title: Enhancing Narrative Drive in Each Scene
Summary: Savannah explores various methods to ensure that each scene contributes to moving the story forward. This episode delves into the mechanics of narrative drive, discussing how to maintain momentum throughout the story and keep the reader invested. Practical tips on structuring scenes to build suspense and foster emotional investment are also covered.
Podcast Name: Savannah Gilbo – Writers in the Trenches
URL: https://podcast.savannahgilbo.com/791087/14427872

Podcast Title: What Are Obligatory Scenes And Conventions?
This episode explores the concept of obligatory scenes and conventions in storytelling. Savannah Gilbo explains how these elements are essential for crafting stories that meet genre expectations and resonate with audiences. She provides a framework for identifying and implementing these components in your own writing to ensure your story delivers a satisfying narrative experience.
Podcast Name: Savannah Gilbo – Writers in the Trenches
URL: https://podcast.savannahgilbo.com/791087/14427872

 

BBC MAESTRO COURSES
BBC Maestro is an educational platform that offers courses taught by experts in various fields, including creative writing. It allows learners to access extensive pre-recorded lessons at their own pace, either by purchasing individual courses or subscribing for all-access. Access Options: Single courses can be purchased for lifetime access, or users can subscribe annually for unlimited access to all courses. I personally purchased the annual unlimited access to all courses. I gave myself this as a present to myself on Valentine’s Day and it is definitely the gift that keeps on giving! I highly recommend it as it just as amazing content, with even a workbook to download for each course, by amazing experienced successful people!
Link for More Information: https://www.bbcmaestro.com/

Ken Follett – Writing Bestselling Fiction:
Ken Follett’s course offers detailed guidance on how to craft engaging narratives, focusing on creating suspense and developing intricate characters that enhance the dynamics of each scene. This course is ideal for learning how to pace your novel effectively to keep readers engaged.
More details: https://www.bbcmaestro.com/courses/ken-follett/writing-bestselling-fiction

Lee Child – Writing Popular Fiction:
This course by Lee Child dives into the techniques of popular fiction writing, including how to structure plots and scenes that maintain tension and interest, which are essential for building suspenseful narratives.
More details: https://www.bbcmaestro.com/courses/lee-child/writing-popular-fiction

Margaret Atwood – Creative Writing:
In this course, Margaret Atwood offers her insights into the craft of writing fiction, discussing techniques for developing plots, characters, and compelling scenes. This course is particularly beneficial for writers interested in exploring different aspects of storytelling from the perspective of one of the most successful contemporary authors.
More details: https://www.bbcmaestro.com/courses/margaret-atwood/creative-writing

Harlan Coben – Writing Thrillers:
This course by Harlan Coben offers valuable insights into the mechanics of creating suspense and building tension, essential for captivating thriller scenes. It’s designed for writers who want to keep readers on the edge of their seats.
More details: https://www.bbcmaestro.com/courses/harlan-coben/writing-thrillers

Malorie Blackman – Writing For Young Adults:
Malorie Blackman’s course focuses on writing for young adults, emphasizing how to craft authentic dialogue and develop compelling characters. This course is ideal for those looking to engage younger audiences with dynamic scenes.
More details: https://www.bbcmaestro.com/courses/malorie-blackman/writing-for-young-adults

Jojo Moyes – Writing Love Stories:
Last but not least, my favorite BBC Maestro Course = Jojo Moyes teaches how to write emotionally rich love stories, with a strong emphasis on character development and scene setting. This course is perfect for writers aiming to weave deep emotional connections into their narratives.
More details: https://www.bbcmaestro.com/courses/jojo-moyes/writing-love-stories