Scene Design: the building blocks of a story
INTRODUCTION
Just as words are the building blocks of sentences, and sentences are the building blocks of paragraphs, and paragraphs are the building blocks of scenes, so too scenes are the building blocks of fictional works. Scenes, however, aren't simply a collection of paragraphs; they must have a structure to be effective. A scene is a complex undertaking requiring a degree of planning.
The major problem that many writers face in developing a new scene is one of not knowing the character sufficiently or not getting inside the head of the scene’s POV character when they write the scene. Mentally picture the characters acting out the scene (as if they are on stage) and focus your attention inside the POV character so that you are writing what that character sees and feels. Then when something happens, you’ll know what his thoughts are and what his motivation is, hence you can predict how he should react to the stimuli and thus build the emotional arc. Granted this isn’t easy at first, but through continued use, it becomes easier and more natural.
ELEMENTS OF SCENE DESIGN
Goal: As part of this structure, scenes must have a goal that should be satisfied or, at a minimum, show progress toward the goal before the scene ends. This goal must be designed to advance the story toward the ultimate aim of solving the plot problem In short stories, the scene goal is often the same as the the plot problem. Typical goals in longer works include: obtaining information, reaching a destination, finding a witness, uncovering a clue or buying an engagement ring.
Time and Place: The structure of the scene restricts it to a specific time and place with a defined set of characters. Thus, if the scene is set in Manhattan during the morning rush hour, a different scene will be necessary to show action taking place in Baltimore late at night. A different scene may also be necessary to show the characters in Manhattan's evening rush hour. The point here is to emphasize that scenes have geographical and temporal boundaries. Scenes cannot be endless.
Characters: A scene should start with the scene's main character — not necessarily the story’s main character, but always the scene’s viewpoint character — facing a situation with a definite goal that appears to be attainable. This goal doesn't have to be attained within a single goal, but the scene must show progress toward the goal.
Conflict: A scene must contain conflict of some sort. It doesn't have to be a ferocious fistfight. It can be inner turmoil, but the physical or emotional conflict must be real to the characters. This conflict produces tension and that maintains the reader’s interest.
Emotional Arc: Another requirement for a scene is that it must include an emotional change in the scene’s POV character. If the character's emotion is positive at the beginning of the scene, it can move to more positive or less positive by the scene’s end. It could also turn negative. The larger the change the better. As an example, Character A feels good at the start of the scene. Everything is going his way and he is confident that he will solve the scene problem. By the end of the scene, he must be in a funk because an unexpected obstacle arose and derailed his scheme to fix things. Similarly, if the character's love life is grand at the scene opening, it should be on the rocks at the end of the scene. If the couple starts out fighting or arguing, they should be smooching by the end of the scene, or at least be less hostile toward each other.
The purpose of these arcs is to put the reader's emotions on a roller-coaster so that her emotional reaction is never stable for very long.
CONCLUSION
The author must provide answers for six questions in each scene:
Goal?
Where?
When?
Starting Emotion?
Ending Emotion?
Sensed Used?
This evening, I’m flying to Dublin on vacation for a week,so I may not be able to post next week.
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