In a guest post on Jane Friedman’s blog, Susan DeFreitas offers advice on crafting scenes. “There’s more to it than just having your beloved imaginary people talk to each other on the page, in specific settings, with a little conflict thrown in for good measure,” she says.
DeFreitas suggests writers can master scene construction with the wave technique, which she describers as “building toward a breaking point, then revealing something new about the characters, their world, or the plot.” Here’s how it works:
- The setup. “What’s important for your reader to know in the scene to come?” DeFreitas asks. These elements can include backstory, background information, or worldbuilding. “Whatever it is that would add richness, nuance, and depth to their understanding of the scene to come, find a way to work it into the narrative just before the POV character heads into the scene,” she explains.
- Scene begins. Transition clearly into your scene and establish the parameters – setting, atmosphere, characters, emotions. “Include dialogue or activity that makes it clear what the characters are doing here in this setting, thereby setting the scene,” DeFreitas adds.
- The build. Avoid small talk and get to the point. What do the characters want? DeFreitas notes that many writers don’t lean into this moment in the scene. Instead, they should push the conflict to the point where something changes.
- The break and the reveal. At the height of conflict, drop new information for dramatic effect and narrative momentum.
- The double reveal. When you can, add additional information to create a double reveal. For example, a character in a murder mystery may confess they can identify the murder weapon…then reveal they have it in their possession.
By pushing out the conflict early in the scene, you can ensure that something has changed for your characters and story by the end of it. “By giving us the build (and staying with it long enough to create a sense that the conflict or tension has reached the point where “something has got to give”), you create a sense that the breaking point to come is not only fully convincing, but inevitable,” DeFreitas writes. “And by working in your reveal (or double reveal) at the breaking point, you deliver important story information in the most vivid and memorable way: via scene.”
