0 Optionally: set the emotional tone. Usually this is a short descriptive bit, anything from a piece of set dressing that reflects the scene, to a character making a small motion or realizing something.
If you don't do that, drop the scene in media res and let'er rip. :D
The following cycle can be started at any point, but I don't usually feel like I've done a good job with a scene unless I've gone all the way around.
1 Active POV character feels or thinks something. If this matches the tone already present, it should build on it. If it contrasts, show why that's important.
2 Active POV character does or says something that draws from their internal life. Show how they're modulating what they feel for their audience. If they don't do anything at all, don't write that, just GOTO 3.
3 Non-POV characters* interact and move to their own agendas and the story's needs. If the POV character needs something** for matters to advance, think about what you need to set that up and take a step. This step may repeat if there's a lot of non-POV characters present, such as multi-partner conversation scenes or other complex situations.
4 Active POV character perceives or doesn't as necessary and appropriate to character. GOTO 1.
Cycle as many times as you need to get the scene done, then optionally:
5 add an envoy to link this scene to the next one, to a later plot element, or backward to a previous scene. This shouldn't happen on /all/ the scenes but I am unreasonably fond of them.
*I include things like the weather, the setting, or the world at large as non-POV characters. I have no idea if this is typical.
**For definitions of 'needs' including 'character X needs to have a total meltdown and it will take several steps to work that up, so character Y gets to kick them in the feels, hard.'
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branchandroot
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Date: 2018-08-14 06:52 pm (UTC)0 Optionally: set the emotional tone. Usually this is a short descriptive bit, anything from a piece of set dressing that reflects the scene, to a character making a small motion or realizing something.
If you don't do that, drop the scene in media res and let'er rip. :D
The following cycle can be started at any point, but I don't usually feel like I've done a good job with a scene unless I've gone all the way around.
1 Active POV character feels or thinks something. If this matches the tone already present, it should build on it. If it contrasts, show why that's important.
2 Active POV character does or says something that draws from their internal life. Show how they're modulating what they feel for their audience. If they don't do anything at all, don't write that, just GOTO 3.
3 Non-POV characters* interact and move to their own agendas and the story's needs. If the POV character needs something** for matters to advance, think about what you need to set that up and take a step. This step may repeat if there's a lot of non-POV characters present, such as multi-partner conversation scenes or other complex situations.
4 Active POV character perceives or doesn't as necessary and appropriate to character. GOTO 1.
Cycle as many times as you need to get the scene done, then optionally:
5 add an envoy to link this scene to the next one, to a later plot element, or backward to a previous scene. This shouldn't happen on /all/ the scenes but I am unreasonably fond of them.
*I include things like the weather, the setting, or the world at large as non-POV characters. I have no idea if this is typical.
**For definitions of 'needs' including 'character X needs to have a total meltdown and it will take several steps to work that up, so character Y gets to kick them in the feels, hard.'