tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8113039007643369603.post6929966751249556496..comments2024-01-06T23:42:50.856-08:00Comments on Writers' Rest: Fiction Writing 101: Lesson #3Molly Noble Bullhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08811325552308982572noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8113039007643369603.post-3635375608902589182008-02-20T12:03:00.000-08:002008-02-20T12:03:00.000-08:00Dear Tyler and Cathy,Thanks for writing. Yes. All ...Dear Tyler and Cathy,<BR/>Thanks for writing. Yes. All scenes MUST end in a disaster. Otherwise, they are not scenes at all. Next week will will discuss what I mean by a disaster. But I will give you a hint right now. <BR/>A disaster in a scene means the main character didn't reach his or her scene goal. If she was making dinner for her husband's boss and forgot to add salt to the stew, that's a disaster because she didn't reach her scene goal. <BR/>Until next time. <BR/>Love, <BR/>Molly <BR/>www.mollynoblebull.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8113039007643369603.post-24713296786789791402008-02-20T07:41:00.000-08:002008-02-20T07:41:00.000-08:00I don't think a scene necessarily has to end in di...I don't think a scene necessarily has to end in disaster, but you must have some compelling reason for the reader to keep turning the pages of your book. Using methods like this one keep your story flowing and your ideas on track. I am a 'seat of the pants' writer and never plot anything out. Now that I'm more seasoned, I've learned that this isn't always a good thing. You should have a bare bones synopsis and plot for your story before you start writing it. Since I've started doing this, I've found the actually writing much easier because I know where I'm going. Sometimes the story takes on a life of it's own, which is fine, but you have to have some plumb line - a way to tie up all the loose ends and bring your book to a satisfying conclusion. I think you'll find most writers recommend using the above method.Catherine Westhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16075571140881352399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8113039007643369603.post-24805954822737718552008-02-20T07:07:00.000-08:002008-02-20T07:07:00.000-08:00Isn't this a slight oversimplification of what a s...Isn't this a slight oversimplification of what a scene is? I mean, does a scene always have to end in disaster? I can think of plenty of examples in fiction with no disaster at the end.<BR/><BR/>Also, must it always end with a transition? It seems to me that dividing all this up into "scenes," "sequels," and "reaction, dilemma, decision" is taking all the spontaneity out of writing and making a formula for it.<BR/><BR/>I could be wrong, though, which is an entirely plausible explanation. I'm just a starting writer (and an unpublished one) so perhaps I haven't gotten the idea yet.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com