Writing Tips: Learn to Accept When a Scene Isn't Working and Walk Away for a Bit · 3:09am Jul 9th, 2016
I got 2700 words into the SYS-TER Chapter of "Equus Metamorphosis" and realized something wasn't working. I've been making notes for this chapter for about a week and revising the approach several times until I got to the point I'm at today. I had to stop and just step back.
Sometimes, you'll feel that something is off in your writing and it starts to become harder to push forward because you sense that the scene is missing something, or has something it shouldn't. This could be any of a number of things:
-- You have the wrong setting (You chose the wrong stage): Maybe your characters are talking in a bar when they should be in the intimacy of their own home. Your setting provides (1) props, (2) an atmosphere of a certain type or theme, (3) an implied meaning based on what that space is traditionally used for and more. If your scene isn't working or you keep getting stuck, consider putting it somewhere else but NEVER ERASE THE WORK YOU'VE DONE. My dialogue tends to work in almost any setting, so I simply change where they are and then re-arrange pieces of dialogue to fit the new area. NEVER DELETE YOUR WORK.
-- You have the wrong supporting characters (You have "Cast" you scene incorrectly): So you chose to have a nameless security guard talk to your main characters when you would have had a more engaging situation with one of your named supporting characters instead. Change it around till you find something that works. Think of your characters like actors that have chemistry with one another. Consider which actors work best with each other and for what purposes.
-- The characters have moved away from the main point of the scene (You lost focus): If the character speech isn't contributing to (A) The Plot, (B) Their personal relationships or (C) a new side story or revelation, then you may need to reconsider what the purpose of the scene is.
-- You chose the wrong character motivation (the character is acting in a way that is different than what they should be doing in this scene): Two duelists just fought and one killed the other's sister by accident. So why are they still chatting like friends? Make sure that the emotion is very real and the responses are authentic based on what has transpired. Try to approach the scene with certain characters experiencing different emotional motivation. Exaggerate a little to see what happens.
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-- The pacing is too slow/too fast (You're either not taking your time with the sequence or taking too much time): Be careful not to linger too long on a scene that's already served it's plot purpose and make sure not to move too fast from a scene when a character was about to reveal a particular breakthrough that would best be shown right now.
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I have been trying to get the scene right and the focus right, but 2000 words in, something felt off. So I'm going to go back to it tomorrow to check on it and leave it for my mind to stew over tonight while I write another story and/or chapter of another work.
I have very high standards for the kind of work I show you guys and I want you to know you're going to get the very best from me <3 *hugs*
Thanks for the advice. Writer's block is my absolute worse enemy. Seriously, nothing worse than your imaginary friends not speaking to ya
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No problem :) It's funny how I know what the problem is in the story I'm writing, but the solution is not readily apparent. I'll figure it out, but the great thing is my work is not in vain. About 2000-2200 of the 2700 words will be salvaged for the next version of the scene, if past experience is any example.
I'll just work on another story :)
4078999 Good idea
THIS SO HARD.
I have a folder entitled "Welder's Bench" that's essentially my cutting room floor, where random scraps of shit gets thrown in.
For instance, before notMurphy's blogpost that got the ball rolling, Tales started life as an untitled dieselpunk concept centered around an alternate cast of Mane Six, with alternate "Elements" I dubbed 'Humors'.
Ditsica Esmeralda Doo kept her name and ladyship but got moved to Canterlot Castle, and her role as mad-scientist was instead relegated to Pinkie Pie.
But a lot of stuff was re-welded into Tales, is my point. My original opening chapter for Tales was shunted into that folder, and I recently realized I can re-use it wholesale to lend the whole thing an off feeling.
Never throw ANYTHING away. That's Terry Pratchett advice. He said his technique was like his original ideas waiting on a bus. Bus comes... and a whole bunch of ideas that had been hanging around decide to shuffle on in as Well.
As a whole, this blogpost is fucking great. So much better than Bad Horse's passive-aggressive "writer's block = you're a bad writer" post.
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Oh hello DIeselpunk Trixie! *Hugs* I haven't got a chance to talk to you yet! :D
Heck yeah that's a good idea! :D I organize my story chapters into different folders and then have the main folder work as my drop point for random notes and ideas. Super useful!
Ah that's the awesome part, when you realize that all you needed to do was switch around a character and sometimes put them in a new position.
"Ditsica Esmeralda Doo" Oh my gosh that name is so pretty! :D <3 "re-welded" hah! That's a good term for changing around steampunk ideas :)
That is a FANTASTIC metaphor! Holy curd!
Have you ever tried freewriting just random stuff to "search" for new characters? I used to write TONS of surrealist writings that were basically stream-of-consciousness pieces where I connected image with image and then made up unique characters. It was like I was "farming" for new characters, which I could then use in other works.
That is such a wonderful concept, like you hire one idea, and it brings its buddies for free! :D
Ah thank you! <3 :D I'll be sure to write more of these whenever I'm trying to self-analyze a work that isn't working. :)
4079082 Ditsy Doo
And her sister, Derringer Eskarina Doo, or "Derring Doo".
Also, well, Dieselpunk.
And no, I more or less let the characters do the story themselves.
Like I didn't script Rarity and Twilight roughhousing in Nightmare, it just happened.
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4079082
Stardust Balance had different advice: If you have writer's block in the sense that you can't think of something to write, that's probably a sign that you need to take a break from writing. Of course, he does write every chapter about 10 weeks in advance, so he can actually afford taking a break from writing temporarily, and he doesn't have many big projects, only one on this site, though he does do a lot of writing on his fanfiction page as TheWarriorOfTwilight.
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Derringer "Derring" Doo. Wow. :D I love it!
Ah yes, Dieselpunk, my mistake :D
I love it when that happens :D
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Perhaps I did need a break. hmm...I shall see which other story to focus on for tonight :)
Good advice.
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Thank you! I'll write more as I'm reminded through my own writing. Think of posting something with lots of music and ambient soundscapes to inspire ya'll soon :)
4080830 I have trouble stringing some scenes together sometimes.