In software development, we are fond of unit testing :
In computer programming, unit testing is a method of testing that verifies the individual units of source code are working properly.
What about applying this philosophy to your novel ? Here's a collection of rules I put together to test my scenes in my novel.
Here's how you use the test :Each positive answer gives your scene 1 point. If your scene rates under 2, you can safely cut it from your work. If it rates between 3 and 4, try to rewrite it. Finally, the highest rated scenes must be kept at all costs !
- At the end of the scene, something has changed in the story
- There's an obstacle or a conflict, even a minor one
- The place and time stays the same
- The characters act, speak and look in character
- Every character is "alive" in the scene
- You can read your scene without skipping to the end
Now some explaining about the items :
1 - At the end of the scene, something has changed in the storyThe main purpose of a scene is to move the story forward. It doesn't mean something has to explode or someone has to die ! The changes can be small : a decision in your character's head, the rain beginning to fall... Or better : your character doesn't see the change yet, but the reader does !
2 - There's an obstacle or a conflict, even a minor oneCharacters are like us. They like sleeping, sitting in comfy sofas, and talking to people who always agree with them. But if you want a compelling story, you have to create a conflict or two to throw them ouf of that "comfort zone". There are many types of conflicts : internal or external. Life-threatening or mundane. Expected or inexpected. You choose !
3 - The time and place stays the sameThink about scenes in plays. When the curtain goes down, the playwright brings new costumes, new props and new lighting to the scene. Scenes in novels are the same : you must end your scene when you travel places. If you don't, you'll find yourself with scens which are too long or confusing.
4 - The characters act, speak and look in characterIn some scenes, you manage to make something happen. You manage to push your character out of his/her comfort zone. But when you read the scene, you realize that you managed all that at the cost of your character's personnality. You made him/her do something he/she wouldn't do normally ! Old characters suddenly talking like rappers "because they're angry"... Your heroine suddenly "forgetting" important details because your plot needed it. Keep in mind that
characters are more important than "the big plot" in novels.
5 - Every character is "alive" in the sceneSometimes you become a fan of your main hero (or your main villain !) and you tend to forget everyone else. If you see that your secondary characters sound like talking heads or act like puppets... you have a problem !
6 - You can read your scene without skipping to the endIf you write for NaNoWriMo, you've certainly written "filler" scenes to reach your daily wordcount. Your characters debate about the weather or find a hidden portion of cheese in their kitchen. When thinking about these scenes, you certainly remember the fun you had writing it. But the problem is : you don't want to read them again because they are so out of context.
I hope this article has helped you to review your scenes and make them better ! If you want to improve, don't hesitate to study great novels. See what works depending on the genre. And replicate what you've learnt into your own novel !
The deadline for your novel, your short story or your article is coming soon. You decide to cut all distractions. Shut the door, put headphones on... But what about your writing software ? Here's a selection of fullscreen text editors.
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