Often, when I’m constructing scenes to use for my novels, I write about the “familiar.” For instance, the series I’m currently working on takes place in the hills and hollows of the beautiful Ozarks. Many of the characters who live there are native Ozarkians, while still others may be “transplants.”
The primary backdrop for my first book (and the rest in this particular series) is a small, friendly town in the Ozarks, and “scenes” vary from chapter to chapter, of course.
I show characters interacting at home, at church, and at little, local establishments such as the small-town diner, local market, and even the senior citizen retirement complex. As with any scene, or sequence order, writers don’t just “throw it all together” hoping it will gel. Usually there is a method to our madness and a reason for each and every thing that happens within the book. Some scenes might be more drawn out than others, and some end up being very brief.
In women’s fiction or romance, love scenes often have a gradual build-up. Since I’m concentrating my efforts on the Christian market, I write differently than I would for the secular market. I want the characters to realize first the need for Christ in their lives, and recognize how their belief system affects their decisions. Sometimes, they may make poor choices and they learn from those. I deliberately describe more than actually show. I try to infuse as much passion as possible in that first kiss, that first caress, without introducing them into the “no fly zone.” No pun intended! (The idea being, that even Christians struggle with temptation and issues of the mind, body, and soul, and God gives us free will to choose or reject certain paths.)
In other scenes where emotion (such as anger or grief) is heightened, I find it necessary to take a short respite after constructing it. It saps a lot of my strength, I believe, because I live vicariously through each character, playing out their words or actions in my mind. I’m an empathetic person anyway, and when someone is in pain or experiencing an emotionally charged moment, I naturally want to make it “all right.”
Eventually, all the scenes get stirred together, as if in a big melting pot. They become the foundation for the overall story, giving it the necessary “umph” to keep readers turning pages!
Oh…status update…I signed my Agent/Client contract and I’m mailing it back today! I’m sooo excited!
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A question for you to ponder…For those of you who write, which scenes do you find particularly challenging to construct?
Comments 4
Oh, the scenes where someone dies. Capturing the emotions leading up to and following that moment, building in context, adding sensory touches. The last time I killed off a character I thought afterwards how I needed to call my dad and let him know the person had died. Um, wait, not a real person!
Author
Yes, Sarah, I find those scenes particularly gripping, too! In my recent novel, two characters have actually died, and my story deals with the lingering after-effects of those deaths. It all ends happily, but getting to that point was indeed a challenge. Hey, another question…do you ever cry along with your characters? I find I do that a lot.
Thanks for sharing your craft. It’s fun to get to look inside to see how a story comes together. I admire those of you who have characters and scenes going in your heads, and wonder what it is like.
Author
Well, Patti, I have to be honest…years ago I felt like I was the odd man out. (Or woman, I guess…ha!) My dream of attaining a literary agent, much less being published, loomed like that far-off rainbow at the edge of the horizon. Now, because of God’s perfect timing, things seem to be falling into place. Still have to sell my novel, and I have to give that over to God, as well! And I admire YOU…your Christian walk, your gift of crafting, YOUR writing talents!