Likemeorishallcry - Alesha

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 :)

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As an adult you must cultivate the skill of “Gross! Oh, well. Not my business.”

Okay I know they never would but can you imagine if Netflix made like a full length movie for each of the hargreeves about their lives in between leaving home and season 1 I mean I would pay to see it.

And like fives life in the apocalypse? Just like a series of two hour long movies about each of them we would love to see it.

My friend : I’m upset

Me : paragraphs about how they matter and how I love them

Me : I’m having a really difficult time at the moment and I’m so worried about ( insert problem )

My friend : lol that sucks

Me watching anything

fun fact i’ve seen the most racism come out of the tua fandom than any other fandom i’ve ever been in

klaus’s cult: oh prophet, tell us a story about yourself!

klaus, bored and tired: when i was..... a young boy.... my father..... took me into the city..... to see a marching band......

when hozier said “at the first cringe of morning, and my heart’s already sinned” and e.m. forster said “i want to be like other men, not this outcast whom nobody wants” and eddy arnold said “it’s a sin, my darling, how i love you so much” and richard siken said “you feel like you’ve done something bad, like robbed a liquor store, or swallowed pills”