tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post376247367343072687..comments2024-03-27T10:02:56.747-04:00Comments on Fiction University: Four Ways to Pre-Write Your Scenes Janice Hardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-12052115495203873582014-01-29T11:39:24.880-05:002014-01-29T11:39:24.880-05:00That's pretty much my process as well. I tend ...That's pretty much my process as well. I tend to do my layers in chunks of chapters or even draft passes once I know how a story unfolds. Janice Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-43799783410278827192014-01-29T11:38:25.182-05:002014-01-29T11:38:25.182-05:00That's great. That's why these basic build...That's great. That's why these basic building blocks are so valuable, because they work no matter what type of writer you are. Janice Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-34111470415397670582014-01-27T00:18:32.598-05:002014-01-27T00:18:32.598-05:00I often will write in layers. First I look at what...I often will write in layers. First I look at what each character wants in the scene, and what I want the scene to accomplish. Then I'll lay down the dialog track, with minimal blocking. And then once I have the basic flow down I'll bring in the scenery, and props, and change the dialog and actions to suit them - sometimes this can radically change things and sometimes it doesn't change them much. But that first layer of "what do I want to accomplish here" comes in the dialog, and rarely changes unless the whole scene doesn't work.JD Paradisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07945134213244873038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-33665502851636226532013-01-19T13:46:37.443-05:002013-01-19T13:46:37.443-05:00I don't usually write an outline, but in the b...I don't usually write an outline, but in the back of my mind I have an idea of what the stakes are and what the goal is for each scene. I know I have to end each scene with a push into the next one. Susan Lowerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15814332480579613013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-24413234872726649372013-01-18T13:41:47.309-05:002013-01-18T13:41:47.309-05:00Marcia, happy to help :) I've found going back...Marcia, happy to help :) I've found going back through in layers like that works great. First pass is just to get the ideas down, then get all the dialog and action blocked out, then layer in internalization and description. The easy stuff, then the harder stuff :)Janice Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-83538010316241281662013-01-17T14:59:17.035-05:002013-01-17T14:59:17.035-05:00Wow, this really helps! I'm about to begin &qu...Wow, this really helps! I'm about to begin "plotting" and I love the options you offer here. I think the summary paragraph will be great when I brainstorming a scene to see if it flows. I'd write a whole chapter this way, scene by scene, and I can see how easy it would be to go back and fill in the dialog and details. Thanks - this is one of the most helpful posts I've read in awhile.Marciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01483155084066195466noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-75580049040146481422013-01-17T14:30:21.091-05:002013-01-17T14:30:21.091-05:00Melanie, I insert quick summary paragraphs all the...Melanie, I insert quick summary paragraphs all the time (as well as notes). I color them in red so I can quickly see where I need to come back and flesh out. It really helps get past those sticky points when I still need to work something out. And sometimes, once I'm past that part, I figured out what I need to do and go back with totally new ideas.<br /><br />FM, thanks! Janice Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-86251535750662874982013-01-16T06:25:45.335-05:002013-01-16T06:25:45.335-05:00Thanks for the insight Janice - when I first looke...Thanks for the insight Janice - when I first looked at the traditionalist method, I thought to myself, "Whoa, this is a bit detailed!" but then I realised that this is EXACTLY how I plot, but I don't jot it in point form like that, I write it as a paragraph. (A bit like the free form method but in a lot less detail). One thing I had never considered though, is inserting these 'paragraphs, as-is' into my MS when I'm having trouble fleshing out the details, then coming back to them when later inspired. So thank you!Melaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18220002100234484355noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-68897666659580726412013-01-15T12:50:51.046-05:002013-01-15T12:50:51.046-05:00Giora, conflicts and stakes are what keeps the rea...Giora, conflicts and stakes are what keeps the reader hooked, so putting it in every scene keeps the story compelling. The scene level conflict/stakes vary, but that's what keeps the protag struggling and keeps the story from being "and then this happened, and then this happened..." It turns it into "will they win? Will they get past X?" <br /><br />Char, awesome! I'll use #1 and 2 during revisions, when I'm making sure I have all the right pieces. Stakes are great to add in, since they help keep those "why should I care again?" scenes away.<br /><br />Rubianna, there are so many ways to outline you kinda just have to try and see what level works best for you. It can be as detailed or as loose as you want. LOL re: the bath. I plot in the shower (especially when I'm stuck) so I can relate tot that. Sounds like your process is more relaxing though :) <br /><br />Marti, thanks! That's what I love about this process. You can mix and match, use pieces of it, or use different options at different times. The more tools we have, the more prepared we are and the better the writing will be :)Janice Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-25940422290549306292013-01-15T02:00:48.562-05:002013-01-15T02:00:48.562-05:00Wow! I am doing a couple of versions of this right...Wow! I am doing a couple of versions of this right now. After not looking at my WIP for a while I decided to recap by "summarizing the scenes." Once that was done I let my hubby take a look at it, which lead us to "talking through the scenes." The questions he asked really helped me develop the plot further. <br /><br />I plan on making this a part of my writing process from now on. I like <br />point #2 "Outlining the high points." I would also like to in incorporate that into this process too. <br /><br />Thanks for another inspiring post Janice. I will definitely share this on my Marti Ink blog.marti parhamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16619874032864736750noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-36721956377196952782013-01-14T23:34:07.373-05:002013-01-14T23:34:07.373-05:00I so love all of you who outline. Thank you for th...I so love all of you who outline. Thank you for the examples of how to do this. Outlining is like a foreign language, but I am trying to incorporate more and more. I learn so much here. <br /><br />My best writing comes after I take a really hot bath. I plan out the scenes and "see" them in my head. I try out different versions to achieve where I want the story to go. If I have no idea (except large plot events), I spend some time in my character's head. I talk through the dialogue between my characters. <br /><br />On a beautiful day, no one interrupts me before I reach my laptop and the words fly onto the page.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03683787289610071946noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-44341206900834520022013-01-14T23:23:50.554-05:002013-01-14T23:23:50.554-05:00I used technique #1 for my recently published nove...I used technique #1 for my recently published novel and found that I changed it quite a bit as I progressed through the story. <br /><br />I've adopted a modified #2 for my current WIP using Scrivener & loving it! I need to add the stakes as part of my outline. I think that will help keep me focused on the conflict and avoid the dreaded 'info-dump.' <br /><br />I've also found myself using #4 with my critique group OR talking to myself!Char Newcombhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02112085381384680954noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-35793979600753210432013-01-14T19:22:08.514-05:002013-01-14T19:22:08.514-05:00Very interesting, Janice, how you organize everyth...Very interesting, Janice, how you organize everything before writing. I belong to the free-form (#3) category. I find it interesting that you aim for a conflict and stakes in each scence. I thought that it's only for the novel as a whole.G.M.https://www.blogger.com/profile/02652216131823877445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-4598232488408834412013-01-14T17:40:30.155-05:002013-01-14T17:40:30.155-05:00Jae, one of my best buds likes to talk through sce...Jae, one of my best buds likes to talk through scenes before she writes, and she has great success with it. Just the act of talking about it forces her to figure things out, and helps her visualize what she wants to do. Might work for you, too :)Janice Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-67144272668902122492013-01-14T17:34:56.711-05:002013-01-14T17:34:56.711-05:00Barmybex, everyone's different, but I do like ...Barmybex, everyone's different, but I do like that light structure to keep me focused. Totally helps with the organization, lol.<br /><br />Tracy, I love when that happens! One day I will have to go back to that poor trunk novel. I wrote it back before I found my YA niche, so it would be very different these days. Janice Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-47749738107678083652013-01-14T17:33:33.269-05:002013-01-14T17:33:33.269-05:00I think I've done a little of all of this, but...I think I've done a little of all of this, but I like the way you presented having a discussion with a friend. I think sometimes I'd approach it with is this a good idea, when what I see more here is tell me what you think about this story scene. It's a subtle difference, but maybe I can use this to dialogue with a friend of mine. Thanks for sharing!Jaehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12068459550733383726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-73085457768662439532013-01-14T16:47:49.254-05:002013-01-14T16:47:49.254-05:00Hi Janice,
You're timing is perfect.
I started...Hi Janice,<br />You're timing is perfect.<br />I started an outline this morning to tighten my middle-grade novel. Basically, I was already following your tips, but you added a few pointers I hadn't thought of, and then you showed examples which really helps me. Perhaps, one day I'll get up the nerve and submit a chapter for your blog post critique. :-) <br />And my response to your last comment about the book that's been in your drawer for years, go for it! <br />TracyTracy Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11829493307148654507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-89139290630488521642013-01-14T15:56:53.295-05:002013-01-14T15:56:53.295-05:00I sometimes write a summary paragraph if I have a ...I sometimes write a summary paragraph if I have a real idea I want to pursue but most of the time I sit and dive it, let it flow out and see where it's going. <br />I tend to plan more the further I get into the story. <br /><br />Great methods though, I will have to try them sometime. Might make me more organised. :Dbarmybexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17675796776481696322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-51336212677710424612013-01-14T14:08:46.990-05:002013-01-14T14:08:46.990-05:00Suzanne, I do, but it doesn't take that much t...Suzanne, I do, but it doesn't take that much time. Maybe 5-10 minutes tops. I've tried all four options (and some I didn't talk about), and for me, the summary paragraph works best. It lets me get my thoughts in order so I'm not staring at a blank page trying to figure out what to write. Sometimes I do scene by scene, other times I jot down the whole chapter. <br /><br />Natalie, I hope it does. It gets a lot of the brain work out of the way so you can just write. <br /><br />Jennifer, most welcome! Hope it gives you a great head start on your writing.Janice Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-18987684205459759472013-01-14T11:35:25.647-05:002013-01-14T11:35:25.647-05:00Outlining like this would help me a lot. Thanks fo...Outlining like this would help me a lot. Thanks for breaking it down clearly. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-69721583171597375472013-01-14T07:18:14.821-05:002013-01-14T07:18:14.821-05:00Great tips Janice. I only outline the key plot poi...Great tips Janice. I only outline the key plot points but I think it's a great idea to outline out a chapter either in your head or on paper before you write it. I'm struggling with my first draft right now and this may help.Natalie Aguirrehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03756087804171246660noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-28750844696073511232013-01-14T07:16:41.904-05:002013-01-14T07:16:41.904-05:00Wow, that seems like an awful amount of work befor...Wow, that seems like an awful amount of work before you even get to the writing - do you do this for every scene? Suzannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06288802923434609582noreply@blogger.com