5 Ways to Write Better Scenes

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Every story is a collection of scenes, so making sure that your scene-crafting skills are as polished as possible is crucial for writing an effective story. But what makes a great scene and how can you improve each of yours? Here are my top five scene writing tips to consider as you write your manuscript so that your story comes across as strong and engrossing.

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WRITING TIPS FOR BETTER SCENES:
00:46 - Track the characters’ choreography
01:57 - Ensure every revelation has a reaction
03:45 - Avoid melodrama
05:49 - Clarify characters’ emotional states
07:31 - Contain the scene to the action

ABOUT ME:
My name is Alyssa Matesic, and I’m a professional book editor with 7+ years of book publishing and editorial experience. Throughout my career, I’ve held editorial roles across both sides of the publishing industry: Big Five publishing houses and literary agencies. The goal of this channel is to help writers throughout the book writing journey—whether you're working on your manuscript or you're looking for publishing advice.

Feel free to get in touch!

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[scio]

1. Choreograph the scene
2. React to Revelations
3. Avoid Melodrama
4. Clarify characters emotional state
5. Contain scene to locus of action

[thepaulwalkerexperience]

My biggest challenge is simply writing descriptions. I always worry if I'm overdoing it, undergoing it, or simply making the descriptions clunky. Especially character descriptions.

[bobbiebrownn]

Extremely well delivered breakdown it helped alone for the playlist

[BlackHermit]

Strong scenes Alyssa. Thank you so much!

[Babytiguer]

Thanks for making this! While watcbing, I paused your video, read some of my favorite authors, and came back to keep checking your tips. I write in the first person and I'm working on dialogue and how to switch between each character without saying "he said" and trying to focus more on their body language and turns of phrase

[calebd.]

My biggest challenge is actually incorporating color - I'm color blind, so I honestly don't tend to think of colors outside of "dark/light/beautiful/dreary" etc.

[PrincipeGuityJr]

well explained. I have trouble ending scenes.

[TurtleJulia]

Your videos are really helpful, and I wanted to add that you have a very pleasant voice.

[madmadame]

I struggle with how to end scenes. It always feels abrupt because I don't know what to say after the action drops. A video on that would be great.

[benjaminsilliman]

I watch every video and you are so helpful and have great insight! Thank you!

[rowan]

Your videos have been really helpful and informative.
In my latest novel, I use close third person, where I state the direct thoughts of the characters. Upon feedback from readers on a first page only, they all have been positive and many stated the characters are relatable.

[TalkingRubbish]

I tend to forget about describing the scene until later edits, only emphasising the bits that are relevant to what's going on, ie. colours to enhance the mood or whether it's hot or cold. I don't think I do enough so this video is really helpful.

[SDHuston]

So many great tips here! I especially love the tips about how a character should react to what is going on in a scene. It was especially helpful with all the ideas you gave on how to show different ways characters can react in a scene. Great video!

[vultureiraq]

I think it also could come down to the intention of the scenes and what you want to convey, hope that helps even though i a newbie writer.. i know it helps especially when i naturally love to pantser my way through scenes c:

[zhadebarnet]

#latetotheparty
My biggest challenge with scenes is to try and figure out scene structure and pacing. For instance, does a scene need 3 "acts" in the same way that a story does? Should the main change/reversal happen halfway through? 🤔

[markmarkel]

Your insight was good today. Enjoy this video

[khanvolution]

I have a hard time describing characters reactions to events around them. I’m not sure if I should just state how their feeling or show it through the expressions and physical changes they emote.

[niranjancreators]

Hi,
Can you make a video about writing crime thrillers?

[lisaharrington]

I am reading Steve King’s The Shining. He does this with the title of each character. What are your thoughts on doing this?

[AhmedAliNizamani]

Very nice Sharing my dear respected friend full support and big likes from Ahmed Ali Nizamani..