After reading this guidebook, you'll have a method for ensuring that your story is well-told, well-paced, and highly effective. You'll be guided through the process of reviewing your story, scene-by-scene, until it works.
We won't focus on copy-edi...
Plot describes the events that take place in your story. The events are the bricks that build your story and occur in a sequence, and that sequence forms the structure of your novel.
The top 7 plot Story Elements are:
1. Scene Name & Purpose of a Scene
2. Scene Opening Type
3. Scene Entry Hook
4. Scene Anchoring
5. Scene Closing Type
6. Scene Exit Hook
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Scene Name & Purpose Of A Scene
Try to name each scene in fewer than three words. This will help you narrow down what the scene is about. If you can't name it, it may mean the scene lacks focus.
The scene name is connected to the "purpose of a scene" and will help you discover what the scene is really about. The purpose of the scene is one place to look for hints on what to name your scene. At this point, you may want to re-evaluate the purpose of the scene in case you've changed your mind based on naming the scene.
The names of the scenes might give you insight into the theme of your chapter or of your novel.
To speed up your story edit, you can name your scenes at the same time as you define the purpose.
Purpose Of A Scene
The purpose of a scene is the reason for its existence in your story.
The purpose must relate to the plot. If a scene is not driving the story forward, then ask yourself why is the scene in your novel.
Here are 8 ways the purpose of a scene can drive the story forward. You can choose one of these to define the purpose or come up with your own definitions.
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After you've created your first draft, you may discover you have scenes that don't serve a purpose. This happens to me when I get so involved in writing a scene, I forget the overall story. Sometimes my characters take me places I didn't predict. If a scene has no purpose, feel free to be ruthless and remove the scene, but save it somewhere. If you write a prequel or a sequel, you might need the scene.
How The Purpose Of A Scene Helps With Other Story Elements
I articulate the purpose of the scene early during my story editing, so I can address other elements of the scene and test if they are in line with the purpose.
Let's say you create a list of objects in a scene. You can weigh the objects against the purpose of the scene and determine whether you can use them to further the purpose. This goes for revelations, tension, conflict, weather, etc. Basically, you can test every story element against the scene purpose.
Let me give you an example. The main character, Jazmine, has just had her dog die, so the purpose of this scene is to show how she feels about the loss. The setting is the hallway where her dog used to sleep. The polished wooden floor looks drab and cold to Jazmine. Sunlight streams through the windows, in cruel contrast to her misery. She focuses on her dog's empty old bed and climbs into it, tears falling down her cheeks.
Everything in this scene contributes to the purpose of showing Jazmine's feelings of loss and sadness, establishing the mood and setting the stage for the story to move forward — perhaps she gets another dog, for example.
Your Mission
Whittle the purpose of each scene into a few words. Warning...this can be difficult, but it's worth the effort. Your imagination will soar, and you'll find new ways to write your scenes. One of three things will happen.
1. You nail the purpose (YAY!), and you understand why you included this scene in your novel. Move on to the next scene.
2. The purpose is weak, but there is some value in the scene. See if you can take what is important in the scene and move it to another scene, then cut the original scene. If you want to keep the scene, improve the scene by giving it a stronger purpose.
3. You have no idea what the purpose is. You just enjoyed writing it. Think about cutting this scene.
Having a strong purpose for every scene will improve your story and engage your readers.