How often have you sat down in front of your computer (or pieces of notebook paper) and said – I’ve got to rewrite this entire book? Okay, not the entire thing, but at least 60 percent of it. Do you weep, roll up your sleeves and get at it, or weep and roll simultaneously?
I’m in the midst of taking an online workshop from Alicia Rasley, and it’s kicking my ass. Why? Who knew this mess about scenes? And why in the hell didn’t someone explain it to me before?
And don’t act like you don’t know what I’m talking about.
You published, and a slew of you pre-published authors, know all about scenes, and what they are supposed to do. In case you need a reminder — they are a series of events that have a beginning, middle and end, and oh yeah, don’t forget about the emotional arc of the POV character, and then there’s the twist at the end. The scene must be rooted in a setting, and Christ – CONFLICT – you know that there needs to be escalating conflict.
Jeez! All you had to do was tell me about it, and I would have done it. Except, well, you have been telling me about it, and you’ll likely have to tell me again, because it ain’t easy.
Yeah, I know, bless the hearts of those who have tried to explain this to me before, I do appreciate effort, but for some reason, Alicia’s class (combined with some info about layering that Cherry Adair said in a workshohp at RWA Nationals) is sticking to the insides of my brain. Could it be that I’m actually writing better scenes?
But whoa, it may also mean I must rewrite about 60 percent of my entire book because most of the scenes, particularly in the middle of the book, are for sh*t! They just ramble on and on without purpose.
Yeah, I should probably rewrite them.
Okay, I will rewrite them…
Damn.
Writing is hard work, people.
How do you feel about scenes?