Topic: Writing scenes cause & effect v. scene-sequel approach

[Liz]

I've been studying 'scene'  this week in learning how to tighten up the plot/ structute of chapterbook  I'm working on & for a middle grade wip.

I'm thinking that scene sequel is a good approach   to working on plotting &  tightening the story

Do you tend to plot in cause & effect  way??    or scene then sequel?  or a mix of the two???   

Here's a link abt scene - sequel

http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/art/scene.php


Thanks for your insights.

--LiZ 

[hazelnut]

Allow me to summarize what a scene and sequel are. A Scene has the following three-part pattern:
1.Goal
2.Conflict
3.Disaster

A Sequel has the following three-part pattern:
1.Reaction
2.Dilemma
3.Decision

I agree that novel scenes should have a goal and conflict. I don't agree that a scene should ALWAYS end in disaster unless the genre demands it (e.g. thriller). For example, I think a good scene might end up with an important piece of information that will help the MC out with his/her goal (especially when solving a mystery). You can hardly call that a disaster! I agree that a good sequel will make sure readers understand how the MC feels about what has happened in the scene and as a result, determines what to do next. Note that it does not necessarily have to unfold in a scene; it may be something the MC figures out internally on his/her way home.

[Liz]

Thanks, hazelnut.  Great points!

[austen]

Liz,
I have tried this method with mixed results. When I tried to plan a whole book with this method, I ended up with a bit of a downer (because I always ended each scene with a disaster). I don't blame the method entirely, I think it might have been the way I applied it.
Also, I'm more of a big picture sort of person, so I need to know the whole arc of my story before I do scene by scene planning.
But the thing I do find it more useful for is fixing broken scenes. When I can tell a scene's not working, it helps me to ask: Is there enough conflict? What is each character's goal in the scene? Does it end on a disaster--or a revelation of some sort?
I've also used Randy's snowflake method, which I think is really helpful for figuring out the big picture of your plot.

[Melissa K]

If you like the scene-sequel thing, consider reading Jack Bickham's Scene and Structure if you haven't already. It's longer and more nuanced than an article, so you end up with more tools going forward.

I'm with Austen, though. If my scenes feel right (to both me and my critters) and move the story forward, I don't worry about whether they follow this exact formula. It's when I'm struggling with a scene that I try analyzing them for structure, and then I sometimes notice a big problem somewhere in the goal-conflict-disaster progress.

Also, I don't think cause and effect is necessarily a separate thing; it's just a different way of analyzing what's happening in the same story. A disaster causes a decision, which dictates the new goal, unless the effect of a previous action or decision interrupts the current progress and makes the character switch gears.

[pjlyons]

I sort of use this approach, though not so concretely. My outline is very loose. I know basically how the story will end, and then I work backwards to develop the pieces for the end to work. Rather than a numbered outline, I have a series of cause (arrow) effects. Each chapter has two cause/effects. One for the plot development and one for the character development.


I consider each chapter a "scene." Each chapter begins with the effects of the last chapter's "disaster" then moves on to include something that furthers the plot and something that contributes to the MC's character development/ final change in each chapter/scene. Scenes don't have to end in disaster, they just need turn the heat up under the MC and propel the reader into the next chapter.

But that's just how I work.