Writing Blog
Mastering Scene Structure: A Guide to Writing Engaging and Impactful Scenes
When it comes to writing a novel, understanding how to structure a scene effectively is just as important as crafting an engaging plot. Scenes are the building blocks of your story, and a well-structured scene keeps readers hooked, deepens character development, and drives the plot forward. But what makes a scene truly work? Let’s break down the essentials of scene structure, drawing insights from some of the best writing craft books available.
Trope Deep Dive: Holiday Romance
The Holiday Romance trope is a cherished narrative device in literature, where love stories unfold against the backdrop of festive seasons. Whether it's the warmth of Christmas, the lights of Hanukkah, or the vibrancy of Diwali, these settings infuse romance narratives with a unique blend of nostalgia, joy, and magic.
Show, Don’t Tell: A Deep Dive into One of Writing’s Most Misunderstood Rules
“Show, don’t tell.” It’s one of the most common pieces of advice given to new writers, but what does it really mean? And more importantly, when is it okay to tell instead of showing? In this post, we’ll break down this foundational writing principle, explore examples, and discuss when breaking the rule can actually improve your storytelling.
Trope Deep Dive: Only One Bed
The "Only One Bed" trope is a beloved narrative device in romance literature that thrusts characters into intimate proximity, often leading to heightened tension, vulnerability, and the blossoming of romantic feelings. This scenario typically arises when two characters, due to unforeseen circumstances, are compelled to share a single sleeping space, challenging their boundaries and accelerating emotional connections.
📖 The INFJ Writer – Lauren Sapala
The INFJ Writer by Lauren Sapala is a book specifically aimed at writers who identify as INFJs (Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, Judging) on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). It explores how the INFJ personality type influences creativity, writing struggles, and the overall approach to storytelling.
Trope Deep Dive: Forced Proximity
The Forced Proximity trope is a compelling narrative device in romance literature that brings characters into close quarters, often against their initial wishes. This enforced closeness creates a fertile ground for emotional development, as characters navigate their differences, confront personal barriers, and often discover unexpected affection.
📖 Story Engineering – Larry Brooks
Story Engineering by Larry Brooks takes a highly structured, almost scientific approach to storytelling, breaking it down into six core competencies that serve as the foundation for a well-constructed novel.
📖 Save The Cat! Writes A Novel – Jessica Brody
Jessica Brody’s Save The Cat! Writes A Novel adapts Blake Snyder’s famous screenwriting method for novelists, providing a highly structured approach to storytelling that helps writers craft compelling narratives.
Categories
Writing Journey – My goals, milestones, reflections on my progress, and lessons learned along the way.
Writing Process – Blog posts about drafting, revising, and my creative habits.
Writing Resources – Tools, research methods, and recommendations.
My Novel – Updates on my current work in progress.
Book Reviews – Reviews of various writing craft books and comparable novels to my work in progress.