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Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/q/32526
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

## **I'm now analyzing the scenes in my manuscript.**

> I broke my manuscript into scenes using the definition that a new scene begins when a person, place, or time point shifts. This means whenever a new day starts, for example, it's a new scene, even though this may be within the same chapter as the previous scene on the previous day. I've called out short flashbacks as discrete scenes, and chapter headings as separate scenes as well. I've had difficulty identifying if there is a consensus definition of scene or if like many other things it is down to opinion. \<- infodump :)

I'm requesting input on scenes here, because I've seen varied advice online about how to write scenes in a novel. This advice ranges from using the scene-sequel approach throughout, to allowing the story to unfold organically and not worry about scenes at all.

My approach (to this, my first fiction attempt) has been to draw an arc and map onto the arc where and when certain things should occur in the story (this is the plotter in me). I also allow the characters to steer me elsewhere if they feel strongly about it (the pantser in me, I suppose). The result has been a novel-length (~100,000 words) piece of work with about 100 scenes, give or take. It starts and ends and generally follows the shape of a 'regular' journey.

The feedback I'm currently receiving, from the friends who are reading this, is: the story is not as easy to read as anyone would like. This may be down to a few different reasons, which I am attacking separately from one another.

It may be down to a combination of (1) repetitive portions and (2) poor transitions (I think) between scenes, as well as other details (like (3) 'white room syndrome.')

I'm currently analyzing my scenes. They range from a shorty-short ~200 words to some that are several thousand words. Some scenes 'move the plot' as is recommended, others flesh out characters or provide a detail that I need later (but don't of themselves advance the plot, they lay groundwork.)

## **Today, here, the feedback I am hoping for lies along the lines of:**

**1. What are the various ways to reduce reader fatigue (= increase enjoyment) that involve adjusting scenes?**

In other words should scenes abruptly start and end, or should they all transition seamlessly one to the next? (I imagine it depends on what reader response is desired - perhaps abrupt is appropriate to surprise or tension?)

Should a chapter ideally equal one long scene? (Some people have said this to me elsewhere.) No more than 3 scenes? All bets are off? Are there guidelines about number of scenes (and length) per chapter?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I have them all laying out in front of me on scraps of paper and am staring at them. I am considering cutting scenes, or writing more transitional material between scenes to help guide readers with less abruptness.

I suspect both need to happen. But ... I also suspect I have blind spots and don't want to jump in too quickly on cutting things (or increasing my word count with added transitional material) until I tap into any willing experience here.

**Thank you if you can provide any clarity. It is appreciated.**

Here is an example sample chapter with many scenes:

> Chapter 18  
> scene 1: Chapter heading information (several paragraphs)
> 
> scene 2: MC becomes distraught over recurring issue
> 
> scene 3: MC flashes back to relevant event from childhood
> 
> scene 4: MC makes decision to address distress
> 
> scene 5: MC begins enacting decision
> 
> Chapter ends on resolution of conflict -\> Setting up for the next dilemma (the 'sequel' ends, using the scene-sequel structure as described in many places online.).

I am editing the above to clarify that the final resolution is not in chapter 18, in case that wasn't clear. :)

Another edit: I think it's clear that the flow of scenes 2 - 5 above could conceivably be reformatted into a single uninterrupted scene with a flashback in the middle. There would still be breaks of 'time' but the flow is potentially cohesive. It may be a simple matter of adding short transitional phrases to make it flow for the reader. (To me, this means that the definition of 'scene' is not firm - Time can change within a scene.)

Original score: 4