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| "Too many words..." |
If you haven't guessed, Masello's Robert's Rules of Writing is one of my favorite craft books. It's a small work jam packed with excellent advice!
I'm currently revising a WIP, and this rule reminds me that I don't need to fill up scenes with lots of superfluous information.
Masello uses the example of a scene that takes place in a lecture hall. Is it really necessary to show the students filing in, the professor straightening his notes at the podium, then clearing his throat and beginning the lecture?
Absolutely not! If the oncoming conflict is an argument that takes place between the protagonist and the professor, that results in the protagonist getting kicked out of school, focus on that.
Masello says, "If that's what the scene is about, if that's what moves the action of your story forward, then come in just before the argument flares up and out of control. And once the expulsion is given, end the scene...Lingering in that lecture hall will only dilute the power of the confrontation."
In closing, get to the point, and know when to quit. Rambling and meandering is okay in a first draft, but while revising, cut what's possible so the reader won't be bored!
Have you ever struggled with your characters' arrivals and departures into and out of scenes? Thanks for visiting and have a great week!
9 comments:
Thanks for the sensible advice, Maria! Cutting straight to the action/scene to get the story moving onwards and upwards always helps! Take care
x
@William: Thanks! It's helped me a lot;).
@Kitty: You're welcome! Yes, cutting to the action really does move things along:).
I agree getting to the action is very smart but some writers don't develop the characters because they are busy shooting or dodging bullets. LOL
Hi Maria.
I was a great one for preliminaries. But not anymore. I've learnt that unless you open your story with a lift straight into the action for the reader, the reader won't go there. Strange how reading and writing styles have changed over the years
This brings back memories! This is something both my agent and my first editor had to pound into my head...you don't have to throw in everything but the kitchen sink!
Yup! It's so easy to put everything in there when it's not really necessary:).
Very helpful advice. Thank you.
@Maria Mohan: I'm sorry, Maria. I missed your comment. The first time an editor looked at my work, she told me to jump right into the action. She said people who read ebooks tend to have shorter attention spans!
@Shelly: You are very welcome;)!
@Eve: I'm sorry, Eve, I missed you too! Character development is so important! I've noticed that action movies put me to sleep. The explosions and car chases do nothong for me. I'd rather get involved with person to person conflict in a book or a movie!
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