nonionay | (no subject)

Bit of a writing breakthrough today. It started last night, when I was putting off analyzing a long complicated scene. Right before bed I realized that the answer to why the scene seemed to have no purpose (interesting scene, still no purpose) was that it was needed to be rewritten entirely from the pov of a totally different character. Cue groans and passing out. I'm forcing myself to go over my scene checklist (see below cut) for each scene. I have to force a choice out of at least one of the characters in each scene, something that affects events in future scenes. So I forced the proper pov character to take action. what action should they take? Why, that big thing he does, that before was halfway through the book, but is now scooted up a few chapters? I'll move it forward even more! Cue a lot of mental dragging and watching scenery go flying every which way. So that shook things up for the best, and it forced me to dump a second scene and replace it with something that will be even more exciting and plot relevant. And hopefully have mermaids.

I say it a zillion times, but I'm going to keep saying it. I'm so glad I do this for fun, because I'd hate to think I'd be crushed if I did a whole lotta work which I had to toss and replace with more work, which got tossed, and then replaced that, and in the end, no one even liked the book and it never sold...ugh. I'm not letting myself go there.

My current scene analysis assistant:

Do I properly display Morya and Anna's level and variety of craziness in this scene?

Does something new arise A) That will be resolved in this scene, and B) that will carry over to later scenes?

What characters are interacting, and how is that different than how they interact with other characters?

What balls are thrown in the air/still in the air/ caught?

Do the threats feel real? What are the stakes?

Is this scene as exciting as it possibly could be?

How are the characters changing over the scene? What choices do they have to make at the end?

What is their starting emotional state? Reflect that in the setting. In the opening descriptions, make sure to include one bit of that character's particular pov quirks. (Rory's tendency to notice people, etc.)

What makes this scene different from the other scenes in the book?

What makes it different from the reader's usual experiences? How will it challenge their expectations?

What are the characters anticipating? How can I make what happens different from their expectations?

Don't forget to put in more emotion than you think you need.

What is the turning point in the scene? The mini-turning points?

What random worldbuilding detail can I fit in here?

Make a setting not static. Characters are embedded in it, and it contains potentials used and unused. (half eaten loaf of bread beside an unlit fire.)

How does the opening connect to the end of the scene before? How do the emotions from one scene to the next relate?

Don't forget to overwrite.

How do the characters' neuroses manifest? Their strengths?

How will the character's uniqueness propel them to the next scene?

All five senses?