8/17/2023 0 Comments Write it down visualize it![]() If I am inside, how are the rooms decorated? What unique objects can I describe that will paint the scene? If I am outside, there are a more comprehensive array of things to observe and weather conditions to consider. Once I’ve selected the location, some details need to be visualized. Develop a detailed picture of the setting Each of these creates a different dynamic. But are there other places that would be better? Should the action start in one place and move to others as the scene unfolds?įor example, even if the scene takes place over dinner at someone’s home, a side conversation could occur on the patio, down a hall, in a bathroom, or a bedroom. My concept contained an idea of where the scene takes place. Once I have a good idea of what the characters are thinking and doing, I explore the setting. I love it when, in my mind, a character does something I hadn’t expected that results in a completely different concept for the scene. Then I consider each character’s potential actions and how other characters react. The other benefit of looking at the scene from each character’s POV is to picture their inner thoughts and emotions as the scene unfolds. Explore actions and reactions of various characters After considering multiple perspectives, I decided to have them sleeping in the car so the conversation between Ray and Emily could be rawer and I could ratchet up the tension. My initial plan included interaction between Ray and Emily’s sons. Or I may choose to remove characters, as I did in the scene above. Often I will include characters I hadn’t sketched initially into the scene because it created something interesting. The process of exploring the scene from the perspective of different characters allows me to consider which characters should take part in this scene. Consider including or excluding different characters ![]() In my plot plan, I usually have a POV in mind, but before writing, I imagine creating the scene from the perspective of as many characters as possible.įor the scene in the slide above, I ultimately decided to write the scene from Ray’s perspective because it created more drama and allowed me to share his thoughts with the reader, through which I could further develop his character. Review the scene from multiple POVsĬonsider writing the scene from different points of view (POVs). You either don’t need it - or you need to revise the concept. If you can’t articulate the purpose the scene serves, then stop. Is it a tool to develop characters? Does it move the story forward? Is the intention to provide some answers or create more questions? Are we foreshadowing some future event? Dropping some gold nuggets for the reader? Cranking up the level of suspense? The key is that you start with a concept for the scene. When it comes time to write the scene, I may choose to implement it differently from my original plan. I start with a concept of what happens in the scene, but nothing is cast in concrete. Here’s a sample of a scene from my current novel. That’s the way I used to operate.īut now, I plan my plots by sketching out each scene on slides using bullet points. If you are a pantser, this might be an idea that came to you while eating breakfast. Start with a basic conceptīBefore you start, you need to have a basic concept of what happens in the scene. Over time, I developed the scene planning process described below. In this way, I sought to emulate Ansel Adams’s mastery of visual scene planning in composing my novels. I could see him sorting through these options until a clear image formed in his mind. He would view it from the left, right, and straight on, from a ridge high above and the valley below, from up close and far away, in the morning, noon, and evening light, under bright skies and storm clouds. He would hike the area first, studying his subject from various locations. I imagined Ansel Adams’ process for scene planning. ![]() What steps would he take before committing the first words of his scenes to paper? In my mind, I became Ansel Adams as a creative writer. Extending that line of thinking, if I truly desired to master the arts of writing and storytelling, I needed to invest more time and energy into visualizing my scenes. In both cases, the artist attempts to record an image and convey it to their audience. I realized that writing a scene is a lot like photographing one. Most importantly, in advance, he scouted the place that would provide the ideal perspective for the shot he had in mind.Īnsel Adams called this process “ Previsualization.” ![]() He selected the season, weather conditions, and the time of day that would give the best opportunity of creating the setting he visualized. He chose the camera, filters, and lenses best capable of capturing the scene. He made his most important decisions before taking each shot. Each of these stunning photographs resulted from careful planning and expert execution. ![]()
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