How to Fix a Bad Scene | Novel Writing

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I created a flow chart to diagnose bad scenes. The chart will help you to identify the problems with your scenes and provide possible solutions. This is perfect for when you know something is wrong with a scene in your novel but you're not sure exactly what's going wrong or how to fix it.
Download the Flow Chart Here: ellenbrockediting.com/?p=8485
Support me on Patreon: / ellenbrock
Timestamps
01:23 Does the scene move the plot forward?
02:37 Does the reader need to see the scene happen?
04:18 Is there a conflict?
05:44 Is it obvious to the reader that the scene pushes the plot forward?
06:56 Does the character experience an emotional shift?
08:16 Is the scene still not working?
10:57 Does the scene contain vital information?
11:35 Do you like and want to keep the scene?
12:23 Does the part you like require an entire scene?
13:53 Does the information require an entire scene?
15:27 Is it possible to move the information to another scene?
Story Structure Resources:
[websites]:
www.margielawson.com/using-st...
www.helpingwritersbecomeautho...
thefriendlyeditor.com/2013/07...
[Books:]
Story Engineering by Larry Brooks: www.amazon.com/Story-Engineer...
Save the Cat! Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody: www.amazon.com/Save-Cat-Write...
Writer Types: The Four Types of Novel Writers

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Опубликовано:

26 июл 2024

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Комментарии : 474

@EllenBrock 2 года назад

Hi guys! I'm excited to be back making videos again. It's been a hard couple of years, but things are (fingers crossed) looking up. My hope is that I will be able to shift my focus onto making videos for you guys as we move into 2022! I tried something a little different with this video and used notes on a tablet so that I could do the whole thing in one take with minimal cuts. I'm very rusty so I apologize for the loss of camera focus at a few points and any other technological failings. Let me know if you have any video ideas for the future. I appreciate you all so much!

@Thesilverninja 2 года назад

Whoa, surprise video! Great job, Ellen. I really like how you planned out your shot to have space for your graphics. I don't think you looking at your tablet is distracting because I'm mainly listening to the advice and will rewind as necessary.

@ivygenesis5743 2 года назад

glad to have you back, Ellen 😍 as a next video, can you tap into side characters? i was thinking about how to tell if a character should be in the story or not. the obvious way to ask yourself if the plot still works if you remove them, but i was thinking about characters that are kind of there, and you need them in certain scenes but they leave you kind of meh. i hope this makes sense :))

@aarondonley8546 2 года назад

Great new video Ellen! Thanks and excited to see what you’ve got next. 👍

@Mr.H-YT42 2 года назад

Welcome back. I don’t know what you film with, but there are teleprompter apps that might fit the bill if you like notes or a script in eyeline of your camera

@brandig3649 2 года назад

This video came at the perfect time and is so helpful. So glad you're back! One thing I'm struggling with is the "fun and games" beat of the novel (Act 2 Part 1). There's so much that happens in the beginning and the end, but I'm unsure how to add conflict to this beat that feels significant and moves the plot forward, but that's not as earth shattering as the break into act 2 or the midpoint. Would love your take on this section as I feel like I hear so much more about the beats around it rather than attention on it (same with Act 2 Part 2, really, but "bad guys close in" feels easier on the conflict part).

@JohnBradford14 2 года назад

I just wanted to let you know that I and so many others are happy and thankful to have you back. Your videos helped inspire me to pursue a more serious approach to creative writing that I hope to turn into a full time career in the near future. Out of all of the authortube channels, yours has definitely proven to consistently be one of the most professional, useful and constructive. Again, thank you so much for all of your hard work and dedication.

@EllenBrock 2 года назад

Wow, thank you!

@malintries 2 года назад

I'm so excited! I discovered your channel while it was "on a break" and thought sadly you were done making vids, so you have no idea how happy I was to see you back!! Your channel is one of the BEST resources I've found on novel writing, you always explain things sooo well and I always leave your videos feeling like I've truly learned valuable things xx

@EllenBrock 2 года назад

Thank you so much!

@sweettea6309 2 года назад

Exactly alot of these novel writing channels are full of people who are wordy or try too hard to come off like literary geniuses and end up with a video that has a lot of words and zero meaning

@racoon2623 2 года назад

your advice is genuinely some of the best on the platform, so glad to see you back!

@lauramyers2276 2 года назад

So happy to see you are well and ok. I was concerned. Sorry to hear you’ve had a rough couple of years. Wishing you all the best! Everyone is right, your content is awesome!💜💜

@EllenBrock 2 года назад

Thank you so much!

@EllenBrock 2 года назад

Timestamps 01:23 Does the scene move the plot forward? 02:37 Does the reader need to see the scene happen? 04:18 Is there a conflict? 05:44 Is it obvious to the reader that the scene pushes the plot forward? 06:56 Does the character experience an emotional shift? 08:16 Is the scene still not working? 10:57 Does the scene contain vital information? 11:35 Do you like and want to keep the scene? 12:23 Does the part you like require an entire scene? 13:53 Does the information require an entire scene? 15:27 Is it possible to move the information to another scene?

@stansb19ot5atinforte9 2 года назад

Thanks, your vids are helpful. Just you talking is enough.

@morgantraynor2444 2 года назад

You’re back!!! So glad to see you again. :)

@JoelAdamson 2 года назад

A lot of RU-vidrs start with "sorry I haven't posted in a while," but in this case I have actually been waiting and looking forward to it. Great to see something new, Ellen! Thank you!

@escapeartist1258 6 месяцев назад

I really am going to have to start subbing in the word "obstacle" for "conflict" because I always get the wrong impression when I read that stories need conflict. Obstacle clicks in my brain way better - it implies the character moving forward or toward a goal but then something impedes them, gets in their way.

@MxZui 2 года назад

YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW HAPPY AND GRATEFUL I AM YOU'VE POSTED AGAIN! WELCOME BACK! YOU'RE ONE OF THE VERY BEST WRITING CHANNELS ON RU-vid!!! 👑💛🤗

@kokorodokidoki6437 2 года назад

me too! 😆

@miaramck6746 2 года назад

This is why we're subbed to you, lol!

@extraHERO 2 года назад

It always feels like miracle when you come back

@cravidana1182 2 года назад

Oh my gosh, you're back. I missed you. ❤️

@cozyhomemakingvibes 2 года назад

This notification popped up while I was working on my phone and I was so happy to see it! I was thinking how much I’ve missed your videos just the other day.☀️📚❤️☕️

@pauligrossinoz 2 года назад

*That was **_awesome!_* I just polished my outline using these ideas. I moved several scenes slightly forward or backwards - to the previous or next chapter, and then deleted a bunch of useless scenes. I cut a total of 2 full chapters worth of unnecessary scenes, which improved the pacing a lot. I'm left now with a logical, but minimalist, outline that flows through my story quickly. I also decided to add one more constraint to my outline, which is: *All chapter endings need to feel tense to the reader.* That means if the current chapter answers or resolves something that the reader was worried about from the previous chapter, then it has to generate new tension to replace it. Or, alternatively, the chapter has to end with a strong reminder of a previous point of tension that is as-yet unresolved in the story. This principle of "end-each chapter-with-tension" is often achieved by me just moving a scene into the next chapter. Problems have to get disconnected from their resolutions to keep the reader turning those pages. My chapter endings are things like: leaps into the unknown, trying a desperate escape method, or, at least something like receiving an ominous warning note.

@AroundTheCampfire 2 года назад

The Return of the Queen! Welcome back :D

@kellimccalla 2 года назад

Ah! You found it! "Is it obvious to the reader?" That is going to revolutionize my writing thank you!! I love Easter egg scenes that will pay off later, but it will be incredibly beneficial for me to remember to add something to those scenes that the reader can latch on to more immediately. Not to mention it will hide those moments even better until I'm ready to reveal them. Thank you!!!

@SuperDPL 2 года назад

Ellen, I was genuinely worried, because of the radio silence. Take care, we love your videos.

@abbeyBominable123 2 года назад

Oh my gosh! You're back! Yay!

@sarahg9060 2 года назад

Great advice regarding what is actually a conflict and what isn't! Gave me a sort of a-ha moment with my novel in progress.

@nikkinewbie6014 Год назад

That made me sit up and take notice. That was clarification I didn’t even know that I needed.

@arsenicbug1537 2 года назад

Ellen! It's been so long! I'm happy to see that you're back. I'll be revisiting your videos as I am about half done with my first book and in the time that you've been gone it seems like I haven't found an editor's channel here that has been quite as good as you in both content and presentation. Welcome back to RU-vid 🥰

@Ruylopez778 2 года назад

While it's not an editing channel per se, I highly recommend the channel Writing for Screens (Glenn Gers). He has a lot of practical and insightful wisdom (like Ellen) without unnecessary fluff or rambling you get on some of the other channels. It's coming from a more 'screenwriting' perspective, but his tools, process and essentials videos all broadly apply to any kind of dramatic or creative writing.

@arsenicbug1537 2 года назад

@@Ruylopez778 I actually used to listen to a lot of lessons from the screenplay and I’ve read save the cat (and Ellen has it linked in her video description here). Thank you for the suggestion since screenwriting is a very good way for people to learn good structure (and at times may be worth me revisiting since I think there’s a few sections where I need to answer “does the reader need to see this scene”)

@Ruylopez778 2 года назад

@@arsenicbug1537 No worries. I think Ellen is also a fan of Story Grid (although that is most useful in the revision phase, than writing phase). I also enjoy LFTS, but what I like about Glen's videos is he is approaching it more from the 'creating' side, where LFTS and so on, are more like an analysis of what already works. Both have their uses. Glen's "6 questions" are about focusing on individual scenes and what the purpose is of each one. If there's a specific aspect you're thinking about e.g. pacing, hooks etc 'Writing Excuses' has a massive archive of podcasts you can search also.

@FF-FAN9999 2 года назад

Welcome back! Missed your videos

@VieneLea 2 года назад

Aaah! I love to see you back! The best booktuber!

@kristoffer2250 2 года назад

Been here since the start and imo you're still one of the best among all of the youtubers in the writing community

@dubugman 2 года назад

So glad to see you back!

@chrisgeorge3107 2 года назад

I am so glad you're back. Your advice is great, your intuition is clear, and you are articulate and intelligent. Inexpressibly good content.

@EllenBrock 2 года назад

Wow, thank you!

@chrisgeorge3107 2 года назад

@@EllenBrock I mean it! Glad you saw it, too. 👌🏼

@johnpauldagondong2720 2 года назад

OMG, ELLEN. I WAS JUST THINKING OF YOU!!! SO GLAD YOU'RE BACK!

@paulsophocleous2544 2 года назад

Glad to see you back!

@wendywalters784 2 года назад

So excited you're back!!!

@kellimccalla 2 года назад

Yaaaaayyyy I've missed you! Can't wait to learn when I have some alone time!

@mskmakes2516 2 года назад

So glad to see you back!!

@teril733 2 года назад

So happy you're back!

@COOKMONST3R 2 года назад

Yay! So glad you’re back!

@Dado_cz 2 года назад

Yaaay, Ellen is back! We missed you🙂

@wrathisme4693 2 года назад

Thrilled to see you back!

@MrMJrules 2 года назад

Yay!!! So glad to see you’re back! As always, your videos couldn’t come at a better time! 😊

@edengallagher1044 2 года назад

so glad you're back!

@danielvickery3311 2 года назад

love you! Glad you're back!!!

@andromedaAndy 2 года назад

I was worried! Glad you're back!

@PabloEscapa 2 года назад

Glad you’re back! Love your videos!

@robrumble3991 2 года назад

So glad to see you back, Ellen! This video couldn't have come at a better time! 😁

@bernadetteshields3726 2 года назад

So good to have you back

@mr.kilroy6818 2 года назад

Ellen, we missed you so much !.. Whatever Ticket of Distress this Life Rollercoaster has shoved into your hand you have eloquently Desinbarked at the end of this Ride a little more ready for the next ticket to be handed to you..(there's always a next one) You rode it out Well, Why? "Because" your Ellen Brock Pro Editor Extraordinaire.'.LOVED, By all of us Wannabe Rehashers of Story, Lost Keyboard Bards Welcome Back Ellen!

@hedgehogsonic11 2 года назад

THE QUEEN HAS RETURNED

@inertia86 2 года назад

Thanks for coming back

@thexiaogui8641 2 года назад

Glad you're back!

@leech1355 2 года назад

Yaaaay! I’m so glad you’re back. I love your channel and the way you explain story craft.

@ASJames 2 года назад

Always great to see a new video from you!

@Edinburghdreams 2 года назад

Awesome to see you back.

@Cinabre4436 2 года назад

Yaaaaay you're back! Great video, useful advice. We missed you!

@andrewjchamberlain 2 года назад

Wonderful to see you back here Ellen!

@da.j.9096 2 года назад

Nice to see you again Ellen! Thanks for more great advice!

@cuffeemia2108 2 года назад

Glad to see you back! Thanks for all the advice over the year.

@user-jd4fg7dq7j 2 года назад

I am so glad everything is ok with you and you are back to inspire people to write with your new videos!

@gedankenpilze2810 2 года назад

A lot of information - thank you! I'll need to rewatch this several times

@helenreynolds3681 2 года назад

So glad you're back! Love your content!

@Garrison_the_Barbarian 2 года назад

Ellen, I just want to say thank you for coming back online and bringing us this treat of a video. I need it now that I’ve gone through three rounds of editing and rewriting. My current WIP is drunk and it needs to go to rehab. The mistakes I made are so embarrassing that I don’t even want to say them out loud. That flow chart is going to go a long way in helping me overhaul my novel. Keep up the awesomeness!

@hugoleonardoamaral586 2 года назад

Great to see you back Ellen. Amazing video as always!

@Nostang3 2 года назад

OMG. I was so surprised to see this. I'm happy to see you back. I missed your writing guides so much now that I'm deep into writing a novel.

@greenvash 2 года назад

Glad you are back! Love this new video, keep up the great work!

@vanessafowler9923 2 года назад

You're back!!!!!!!! This video made my day.

@couragedear 2 года назад

So glad you're back, I really find your videos useful! Thanks!

@letskillbunny 2 года назад

so glad you’re back!!

@tinyrocks7549 2 года назад

I’m so glad you’re back! Your way of explaining the craft is always very clear, calm and focused. Thank you!

@ld3344 2 года назад

Hey Ellen, so glad you're back! I'm currently trying to write my first novel and this video is gold - thank you. :) Can't wait for your next video!

@zurckoni 2 года назад

nice to see you back. thanks

@riosaharu 2 года назад

It's so wonderful to see that you're making videos again! Your channel is an absolutely incredible resource; you're so good at laying out information clearly and succinctly. This flow chart is already helping me understand some issues I'm having with my current manuscript. Thank you for putting so much time and effort into these videos!

@ZemogNaes 2 года назад

Ellen, I never comment on RU-vid. Just wanted to say I'm glad to see another of your videos. I don't want to say "welcome back" because you should go at your own pace. You don't have to be "back". Thanks for the new video!

@EllenBrock 2 года назад

Thank you very much!

@asharablack 2 года назад

I'm thrilled you're back! I discovered your channel during your break and I binged all your videos, because I've found your advice so much more helpful than pretty much any other youtube channel on this topic. So much writing advice is directed at beginners, and I was starting to think that I knew everything. But then you came along and provided not one but several key insights that have made me see things from a totally different perspective.

@susiepam2716 2 года назад

So nice to have you back.

@NadwornyBlazen 2 года назад

Great to have you back!

@robbabcock_ 2 года назад

Wow! It's so awesome to see you back!🙏❤️

@chrisannlittle 2 года назад

Welcome back!! Thank you for your information 🙏 😊

@sazharper8768 2 года назад

It’s great to see you back! I’ve liked your videos and advice x

@Writing4Jesus247 2 года назад

Welcome back, Ellen! So happy to see your content! You have the best writing/editing tips on youtube. Thanks for another great vid!

@villainoir 2 года назад

Hello, I had your video recommended in my home and I, of course, had to click. Then I realised this is your first upload in a year. I just want to say thank you to all authortubes in this platform who make information as accessible as possible. As someone who doesn't have enough money to go to workshops and live in a country with poor literary culture, videos like yours could be the only one that we can count of. Welcome back!

@DreamsOfFire 2 года назад

I'm so glad you're back!!! ❤️

@moodby 2 года назад

You're back! I've found your videos very helpful as an aspiring writer, thank you so much!

@mischarowe 2 года назад

Welcome back. Always a treat to watch your videos. :)

@enchantlit8442 2 года назад

Welcome back Ellen!! 💕

@qine6559 2 года назад

Super happy to see you back!!! So happy to see you!!!

@johannageisel5390 2 года назад

Yay, Ellen Brock is back! :D Good to see you again.

@FortinbrasBB 2 года назад

So glad you're back. You got me to look at my scenes with a new eye.

@Thessalin 2 года назад

Yay! This is amazing! I love the flow chart! This is super helpful.

@Raelunil 2 года назад

I am so happy you're back and doing well! ☺️ I look forward to the in-depth dive into the different writer types!

@user-kf6yt4mn9v 2 года назад

I'm so excited to see you back! You're my favorite writing youtuber because you are so logical and structured and you treat writing as a skill to learn and hone, and this video was very logical and informative as usual, thank you. :) I would love to see a video on one of the "intuitive" writer types, because it's something I haven't seen discussed much before.

@PBaloo01 2 года назад

Awesome! So glad you are back making this incredibly helpful content! Thank you so much :D

@zombiegaby 2 года назад

You're back! Glad to see it :)

@celessehinton9081 2 года назад

Your tips and lessons are the reason my manuscript feels authentic and reads well. So glad to see you back online!

@veronikachristen2373 2 года назад

So glad you're back!

@keriin295 2 года назад

So happy to see a new video from you! I've been watching your videos for a few years and teach writing so well!

@A.H._ 2 года назад

i'm so glad you're back! looking forward to your new videos!

@kalagapalagam 2 года назад

Yay you’re back! This info is coming in clutch rn!!

@rhiannonjai6947 2 года назад

So happy to see you pop up again that I hit like before even watching the video!

@skyeoh5908 2 года назад

AHHHH!!! Recently, I have just started writing again and getting addicted to it. Your timing of coming back cannot be more impeccable. Here's to wishing you all the best in your endeavors and me keeping this passion going :D

@mo_ar 2 года назад

I can't believe you are back! This is so exciting! You channel is BY FAR my favorite when it comes to writing advice. Your videos are a perfect mix of being funny, relatable, concise, and straight to the point. Welcome back, and best of luck! I've already learned a lot. Your channel has a huge potential, I can't wait to see it grow!