Level Up Your Scene Level Tension!

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So often, when a story is feeling inert--failing to grab readers--a lack of scene level tension is to blame. Scene level tension plays an essential role in pacing and reader engagement.
In addition to playing an essential role in either plot or character development (and moving things forward), every scene should goals, conflict, stakes and resolution. I'm going over each component and offering further examples and help for nailing down what it means to create and build tension in every scene.
Legendary filmmaker Mike Nichols said every scene is a fight, seduction or negotiation--I will go over that, as well!
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Опубликовано:

9 июл 2024

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Комментарии : 57

@a_l_e_x_26 5 лет назад

If you manage to make the reader CARE for the characters you create, if you can make the reader bite his/her nails because they're afraid the main character might fail, then you have achieved your goal as a writer :)

@anveshasachan2260 3 года назад

Hey I love you writing style

@alejandrarodriguez8410 2 года назад

EXACTLY

@deannaunwritten 5 лет назад

Fight, seduction, and negotiation! Where has this been my whole life, it just makes so much sense!

@sammyranyx6710 7 месяцев назад

That “fight, seduction, negotiation” tip is so useful!

@energizer7354 5 лет назад

"Hope you like my lipstick" 🤣💄 that part got me, thanks for making me laugh on top of all the practical, helpful info!

@jamesedward3572 5 лет назад

You have given me the confidence to start writing my first book. You and you're videos are so inspirational and I thank you for that. ❤️

@ghostlyjas3791 5 лет назад

James edward that’s exactly how I feel

@tayo_95 5 лет назад

I would say that not every scene must contain conflict or the pursuit of a character goal. Throughout your story, your characters should be actively pursuing something but there also need to be scenes that have no conflict in order for the reader and the character to have time to react to big or important moments in the story. This is a way of controlling pacing and making the characters feel more human. So you generally have Proactive scenes and Reactive scenes. The bigger the Proactive scene/sequence the greater the need for a Reactive scene. The only thing that every scene should do is change the story. It should feel like something has distinctly changed by the end of the scene.

@Latriise 5 лет назад

That's really well summarized. Thank you for sharing.

@LindsayPuckett 5 лет назад

I think there still should be some low-level conflict or tension in "rest" scenes. It could even be something as small as an internal conflict dealing with emotions. And I don't think "quiet" scenes like this take away from the explosive external conflict moments. In my opinion, they make them more impactful. Constant tension/conflict drives the story, even if only in small levels at times.

@tayo_95 5 лет назад

@@LindsayPuckett we can agree that reactive scenes don’t take away from more impactful proactive scenes but I maintain that they do not need to contain -- or rather introduce or include conflict -- of any kind. They are reactive and designed as a moment of pause, reflection, and processing, they are designed as an easment to tension. I don't think tension is effective if it's constantly being tightened nonstop throughout the entire story.

@claremiller9979 5 лет назад

I think it depends heavily on the type of story you are aiming for. An "exciting page turner" would benefit from this method, a literary novel probably would not have fights, seduction and/or negotiation in every scene (though you could construe those things to a character's internal world, possibly).

@IrinNovy 5 лет назад

Right. What Alexa is saying is more suited for screenplays. I literally read this in every screenwriter's book. But there is a difference between a movie/a tv show episode and a book. They feel different (and they should), books are always deeper (should be, at least) and more detailed. Movies just don't have as much time. So if you devote a scene to the description of the nature while your character relaxes in the sun, there is nothing wrong with that. But there must be a point in doing so, of course. Every scene should serve the story and have a purpose. I feel like if the story is packed with action, this action often loses any sense. I'm not saying books should be boring though. :)

@trina7012 5 лет назад

"Essentially leading a reader up to the point of having a question IS a resolution." My brain just expanded at that comment, it's SUCH a unique and TRUE way of looking at it! Also love the Mike Nichols quote, it literally blew my mind! Thanks so much for the advice! Keeping tension in my story has been a longtime quest of mine, it's one of the main things I always fret over when writing!

@heidih.6257 5 лет назад

I use GOAL, CONFLICT, DISASTER followed by REACTION, DILEMMA, DECISION sometimes the first three in an scene followed by another scene with the other three. or sometimes it fits putting all six in a single scene. But always keeping that sequence. Also, scrivener helps a lot with that, as you can put each scene in a card and write it there and in the index card put this info.

@amandarandomtube4793 2 года назад

You're like my writing fairy godmother, everytime I watch a video you say something that directly helps me with what I'm currently doing

@ReinhardvonHolst 5 лет назад

You and your friend are a huge help. Thanks and peace from the UK.

@hibak8196 5 лет назад

I'm several scenes into a story idea, and the later ones are feeling just so full of answers with not enough questions. I need to find a way to make all POVs interesting..

@isatubarrie9145 3 года назад

I meant to start writing but I think I might binge this whole channel whoops

@CatHasOpinions734 5 лет назад

Maybe this is just me, but what you're describing sounds like a way to get a passably good outline in a spreadsheet format, and that sounds PERFECT, thank you! Edit to add: Also, your lipstick looks lovely.

@MandiLynnWrites 5 лет назад

Love how you described creating tension! So much great info in one video!

@TheWordN3rd 5 лет назад

I love how tie this into other videos you've done recently.

@kairemeriniit 4 года назад

Grate advice! I absolutly love the idea of scene- level clifhangers. On the other hand- i think, not every scene needs some tension. Some scenes are just beutyfull in itself, adding a sense of wonder.

@zetaforever4953 5 лет назад

Thank you so much for this video! I literally took notes while watching it. Every piece of advice was super eye-opening and helpful!!

@dnfan1 5 лет назад

As always, you have created another video that has sparked new ideas for my writing. Plus, you give concrete ways of improving it. I really liked the idea of breaking scenes into three types, so thank you for sharing. PS Your lipstick suits you well!

@jessieartsdaily 5 лет назад

Thank you so much for what you do! Your advice is stellar, and you inspired me to start writing again. In other news, I just got your book in the mail. Can’t wait to start :)

@blog_of_obvious_things 5 лет назад

such useful tips! Will definitely try them out!

@PhoebeWritesFiction 5 лет назад

Ooooh, I love that fight/seduction/negotiation tidbit! This clarifies so much about the plot I'm working with at the moment. My instinct is that varying up this trio (as opposed to a whole act of fight, followed by a whole act of seduction) would probably make for a better reading experience... SO with that in mind I'm going to look through my scenes and see whether I have big chunks of one kind or a nice variation. Great video, thanks :)

@sailorainbow 5 лет назад

THANK YOU! I was struggling with a scene because I thought it was boring and flat but one of my beta readers keep aksing me to include this scene, and I dindn't know what to do to make it more interesting. I hope with your advice I will be able to correct this scene, and have a nice day Alexa!

@jasongretencord3326 5 лет назад

I was just struggling with this issue. THanks Alexa!

@HollyDunnDesign 5 лет назад

Ooh I love this! I’ll be looking out for the fight/seduction/negotiation technique in books I read now.

@kaylasbookishworld1686 5 лет назад

This was super helpful!

@NovelNovelist 5 лет назад

Thank you. This was a very timely topic for me. I spent most of the day for NaNoWriMO obsessing over this one particular scene that just isn't working and I couldn't figure out why. It conveys a lot of plot information and character development in an interesting way and I'm happy with the banter and dialogue...but yeah, now I realize that the problem is that there isn't enough tension. My characters were cooperating a bit too much. I'll make revisions with this in mind. Thanks for the insight!

@Phillybookfairy 5 лет назад

This was very helpful, interesting to.try and analyze ones writing this way.

@santanasg8445 5 лет назад

very interesting! I'll be now searching for my scenes if they're either a fight, seduction or negotiation! :D

@artofphillipdallas 5 лет назад

Great information and a fan of Battlestar Galactica. Also, the lipstick looks just fine.

@NadineCharleson 5 лет назад

...!!! :o ... I'm totally going to use this!!! Thank yoooooouuu!!!!

@ghostlyjas3791 5 лет назад

First comment lol thank you for all the helpful tips!

@mrs.psstories1764 3 года назад

How do you do a scene card if you are a pantser? I find that the majority of my scenes are ones I didn't have planed.

@gamewriteeye769 Год назад

9:00 Preach

@veronica1972 5 лет назад

Totally random question and not at all related to this awesome video, but I plan on having creating some cool ilustrations as part of my manuscript, 'journel' entries from one of the main characters and the world around him (fantasy world) Is this something I should include when it comes to doing my query for an agent? Thank you so much!!

@samimoon7391 4 года назад

Love your shirt 💕 it’s beautiful 🤭

@aftoncrain2042 2 года назад

Whelp. My entire book is a negotiation.

@normanzsvsp 4 года назад

I am currently writing my own novel and I find scenes with action particularly difficult. Such as a fight scene.

@cosmic-fortytwo Год назад

Can you recommend any writing books with exercises on creating tension and suspense?

@jasminegomez160 5 лет назад

Could you make a video about YA romance story cliches dos and donts

@athenadia4743 4 года назад

Hi, Alexa! Your videos are so insightful. I was wondering if you would show us in a video how you breakdown your scenes while editing and format your story in documents? I think it would be really cool to see how a professional author does these things.❤️

@athenadia4743 4 года назад

Would you also be open to showing us how you make your scene cards?

@Supvia 4 года назад

Just checking every scene for goal, conflicts and stakes. Now I am frustrated, how bad my book is 😩

@grayson2170 3 года назад

Yes, but depends on the genre

@davehuff7445 5 лет назад

I have a question that's a bit off-topic. But I'd greatly appreciate it if anyone can help me with an answer. My question: While writing a story, is it ok to use words such as 'wouldn't' or 'couldn't' during the narrative parts of the book, or should I actually write 'would not' 'could not', etc. For a stupid example, 'Johnny couldn't get the apple out of the tree.' ...or 'Johnny could not get the apple out of the tree'.... Which way is the proper way when narrating?

@rfr2703 5 лет назад

Personally I don't think there's a way to write when fiction writing, it just depends on either your voice or the characters voice. If your character is impatient, or likes to get to the point maybe use wouldn't/couldn't as it's quicker than would not/could not. As well as if you're showing a change in pace, tension or something which causes your sentences to become shorter then you could use wouldn't/couldn't as all of us become less winded when in need. However you can use this in the alternate form: If your character isn't colloquial, or masks things, feelings with their words... ect.Or if you don't want your voice (as the narrator) to be too casual if it doesn't fit the scene or overall tone of the novel. In shorter words....its up to you!😁

@SysterYster 4 года назад

lol, right now I'm in the throes of editing and removing needless scenes. XD Because my book is too long, and I think I have a bunch of unnecessary stuff in there. Ops! (Yes, I'm a pantser!)