Tips For Writing A Difficult Scene

Tips for Writing a Difficult Scene

Every writer inevitably gets to that scene that just doesn't want to work. It doesn't flow, no matter how hard you try. Well, here are some things to try to get out of that rut:

1. Change the weather

I know this doesn't sound like it'll make much of a difference, but trust me when I say it does.

Every single time I've tried this, it worked and the scene flowed magically.

2. Change the POV

If your book has multiple POV characters, it might be a good idea to switch the scene to another character's perspective.

9/10 times, this will make the scene flow better.

3. Start the scene earlier/later

Oftentimes, a scene just doesn't work because you're not starting in the right place.

Perhaps you're starting too late and giving too little context. Perhaps some description or character introspection is needed before you dive in.

Alternatively, you may be taking too long to get to the actual point of the scene. Would it help to dive straight into the action without much ado?

4. Write only the dialogue

If your scene involves dialogue, it can help immensely to write only the spoken words the first time round.

It's even better if you highlight different characters' speech in different colors.

Then, later on, you can go back and fill in the dialogue tags, description etc.

5. Fuck it and use a placeholder

If nothing works, it's time to move on.

Rather than perpetually getting stuck on that one scene, use a placeholder. Something like: [they escape somehow] or [big emotional talk].

And then continue with the draft.

This'll help you keep momentum and, maybe, make the scene easier to write later on once you have a better grasp on the plot and characters.

Trust me, I do this all the time.

It can take some practice to get past your Type A brain screaming at you, but it's worth it.

So, those are some things to try when a scene is being difficult. I hope that these tips help :)

Reblog if you found this post useful. Comment with your own tips. Follow me for similar content.

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writing advice writing resources

books with nonbinary and/or "they/them" characters

this is mostly directed at @the-closet-case but i hope it can help other people too!

books with they/them narrators

- "I Wish You All The Best", Mason Deaver

- "River Of Teeth", Sarah Gailey (there's multiple narrators in this one, one of them uses they/them)

- "Can't Take That Away", Steven Salvatore (main character switches between he/she/they.)

- "No Man of Woman Born", Ana Mardoll. (This one is a short story collection which includes a he/she/they genderfluid person, a xe/xem person, and multiple other trans folks. also, an aro character and a bi one!)

books with major characters who use they/them, exclusively or not

- "Spellhacker", MK England (the love interest is nonbinary and uses they/them)

- "The Heartbreak Bakery", A.R. Capetta (the love interest uses he/they pronouns; the narrator uses no pronouns.)

- Also, bonus: not as major but "A Dark and Hollow Star" by Ashley Shuttleworth has a genderfluid side character who uses they/them.

books with nonbinary characters that don't use they/them

- "Meet Cute Diary", Emery Lee. The love interest uses ey/em pronouns (or maybe e/em, i can't quite remember)

- "Good Omens", Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett. Crowley and Aziriphale both use he/him but are referred to as having no gender.

I'll add more later, I'm really tired right now and am having difficulty recalling books to add.

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books book recommendations nonbinary books

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learned-something-new-today

3 years ago

Source ~ Daisy and Hen

Fossily Brontosaurus from Jellycat

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learned-something-new-today

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Book Holster // Funky Camelot on Etsy

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learned-something-new-today

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Fluffy Whale Sharks / Stingrays

Sweet Wolf Shop on Etsy

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cool stuff save tag

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learned-something-new-today

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Sculpted Scales on Etsy

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learned-something-new-today

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Pricing your work!

At least a living wage x hours worked + cost of materials

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learned-something-new-today

2 years ago

Botanical Bears // Ash Elizabeth On Etsy

Botanical Bears // Ash Elizabeth on Etsy

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learned-something-new-today

3 years ago

I Made These As A Way To Compile All The Geographical Vocabulary That I Thought Was Useful And Interesting

I made these as a way to compile all the geographical vocabulary that I thought was useful and interesting for writers. Some descriptors share categories, and some are simplified, but for the most part everything is in its proper place. Not all the words are as useable as others, and some might take tricky wording to pull off, but I hope these prove useful to all you writers out there!

(save the images to zoom in on the pics)

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writing advice writing resources

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learned-something-new-today

3 years ago

The more I talk about recycling with people the more I realise just how many people recycle backwards.

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important save tag recylcing

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