tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7313130055534395503.post625459935339120792..comments2023-09-17T06:13:58.403-04:00Comments on Unshakeable Hope: MFA Monday: When the Scene Is Too LongHeidi Willishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18420802651029097379noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7313130055534395503.post-39567225600766620692011-06-19T00:15:41.192-04:002011-06-19T00:15:41.192-04:00These were great tips that I'm saving for myse...These were great tips that I'm saving for myself. I KNOW my scenes are too long. My problem is i think everything is important. I could probably find an excuse to include someone sitting in a chair.<br /><br />Thanks for the help!L.J. Kentowskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09441452137277057123noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7313130055534395503.post-17202443652194088142011-04-15T09:38:39.945-04:002011-04-15T09:38:39.945-04:00Oh man, I write way too much! Always! I write li...Oh man, I write way too much! Always! I write like I talk which is... too much!<br /><br />I don't mind though because I'm getting better at cutting stuff out. I think of it as just having more good stuff to choose from when it's cutting time!Heidi the Hickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00639479864903922047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7313130055534395503.post-88668135312475202122011-04-12T13:52:26.801-04:002011-04-12T13:52:26.801-04:00I tend to write lean, but I like #3.I tend to write lean, but I like #3.kathrynjankowskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16708011523767228663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7313130055534395503.post-81262469061442525082011-04-11T18:37:40.816-04:002011-04-11T18:37:40.816-04:00Nope. My scenes are short. My chapters tend to be ...Nope. My scenes are short. My chapters tend to be barely ten pages ( not all, but most). It is hard though, especially when you have a lot of info to get out. I realized the other day that I had a few really long scenes and nothing but short ones on all sides. It breaks the rhythm, and I don't think in a good way!Jolene Perryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14809468564016928636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7313130055534395503.post-18872248724479493322011-04-11T18:31:23.270-04:002011-04-11T18:31:23.270-04:00I like your "long" comments! I only writ...I like your "long" comments! I only write short fiction at this time so my entire story is 12 pages or less! But I do need to work on developing conflict sooner and need to tighten up scenes. But like Steph I tend to need to expand instead of cut back. I could practice by writing longer comments! I am glad to read your MFA program is going well for you!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7313130055534395503.post-79348456596354358042011-04-11T16:51:15.759-04:002011-04-11T16:51:15.759-04:00I agree, Tess! Most of the time I'm heavier on...I agree, Tess! Most of the time I'm heavier on narrative, but this passage I went a bit overboard on the dialogue. :) It just took more careful reading to see where the second character didn't need all the information I was spilling.<br /><br />Nicole - LOL!! I don't know if it was boring, but I think it did get messy! :)Heidi Willishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18420802651029097379noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7313130055534395503.post-29284771119625142212011-04-11T15:34:12.385-04:002011-04-11T15:34:12.385-04:00Not that you said your scene is boring or redundan...Not that you said your scene is boring or redundant...that was completely hypothetical!! haha!Nicole McLaughlinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13467516937078644466noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7313130055534395503.post-62593859240698063282011-04-11T15:33:35.402-04:002011-04-11T15:33:35.402-04:00That makes sense! If a scene is written well and I...That makes sense! If a scene is written well and I'm enjoying it I don't even notice how long it is. Especially if it's one I've been "waiting" for. But, for sure, if it seems boring, or redundant, that stinks.Nicole McLaughlinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13467516937078644466noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7313130055534395503.post-45001998951115511522011-04-11T12:33:16.917-04:002011-04-11T12:33:16.917-04:00Great tips!!! I'm the opposite!! Long scenes h...Great tips!!! I'm the opposite!! Long scenes have never been my problem! My work is usually faced paced and entire chapters are about 10-12 pages, sometimes including 2-3 short scenes. After my first draft, I usually have to go in and add more description and fix spots where I show instead of tell. <br /><br />Good luck!!Stephaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17401931638397651614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7313130055534395503.post-83445982366166461222011-04-11T11:39:02.604-04:002011-04-11T11:39:02.604-04:00I use the 'sum the dialogue up in a narrative&...I use the 'sum the dialogue up in a narrative' quite often. Sometimes it doesn't all have to be said, you know? make the reader feel smart by leaving some to understanding...at least, that's what I TRY to do :)Tesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10014195715998913268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7313130055534395503.post-9321195919758150392011-04-11T11:03:53.969-04:002011-04-11T11:03:53.969-04:00I agree Nicole! I'd already sent several longe...I agree Nicole! I'd already sent several longer scenes to him and he didn't have a problem with them - so maybe this one just felt bogged down. Maybe if a scene has a lot of narrative it doesn't feel as long, but if it's almost all dialog, it drags. <br /><br />Patti - thanks!Heidi Willishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18420802651029097379noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7313130055534395503.post-10077336142331325812011-04-11T11:01:19.160-04:002011-04-11T11:01:19.160-04:00I'm working on that right now, especially in t...I'm working on that right now, especially in the middle of my book. I'm also trying to add more conflict in the middle. These are great tips. Thanks.Pattihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00685341739870191402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7313130055534395503.post-73547178590920624692011-04-11T10:55:25.284-04:002011-04-11T10:55:25.284-04:00This is really helpful, and interesting! You know ...This is really helpful, and interesting! You know what, I agree with all of that...but maybe some scenes just need to be long. The end. :) Does that help!! haha!Nicole McLaughlinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13467516937078644466noreply@blogger.com