I know everyone has written those scenes you love, but that don’t technically move your story forward. They might add a sense of place, or sprinkle flavor in your fictious town. Or, one could introduce a loveable character that doesn’t have a major role, but one you adore nonetheless.
Can you spot the unnecessary scenes in your work? Are they pointed out by crit partners, or an editor? How do you feel when it’s time to delete them for the good of the story?
Some days, the storytelling journey is like a sea voyage. You might embark on calm seas, then swells appear on the horizon. You can use a compass, or rely on your North Star. Once the voyage is complete, your perception of the journey takes place on dry land. Everything looks different on dry land.
I’ve heard many authors talk of the rhythm of their stories. They’ve honed their craft, able to “feel” any inconsistency. I admire that, hell I want to master that. So, I’ll work hard, then harder. I can hear my dialogue, and feel it’s flow. Characterization has always been an intimate part of my writing. I imagine it’s the scenes, the ones standing alone to the side, that I need to cut my threads to.
What about you? Are those scenes obvious to you? And does it hurt to let them go?
LaDonna, I’m writing a whole bunch of those scenes in my wip. But I did the same with my last book and, as I kept writing, I found new plot twists or character revelations that made those scenes count after all. As if my subconscious knew all along. And many of the scenes I thought were necessary were the ones to go.
That said, I do have orphan scenes I love that I cut. I save them in a file, along with other little bits that seem good but didn’t fit in. I rarely go back to this file, but it feels good to know it’s there. It’s my Scene Safe Deposit Box.
You’re right, Edie! Those scenes can take you places you need to go. And I love your Scene Safe Deposit Box idea! Maybe I should do the same.
At least then, I’d have them.
I write entire books composed of such scenes. So, no, I’m not good at recognizing them
. Once I gain enough distance from a manuscript, though, I can cut some of it out if somebody makes me.
LaDonna it used to hurt to let those scenes go. In GOOD GIRL GONE BAD my editor had me delete an entire chapter and a half. I wasn’t surprised, I’d added it to up my page count. It didn’t get by my editor and with the revisions she had me do, in the end I had more than sufficient pages for the book. I literally ask myself as I begin each scene, “Is this forwarding the story?” If the answer is no, I write something else. With this last book, REDEMTION, I didn’t have to ask that question, the story just poured out and everything was relevant. After a while, and I mean that in the sense of knowing what you must do to make a story work, you just write what needs to be written and the superfluous stuff doesn’t even come to mind. If it does? Slash and burn baby!
Sometimes I can recognize them, sometimes I just can’t. If I do spot ‘em, I cut and paste them into a another file-with the label of cut scene. I just can’t delete the words completely!
Some scenes scream “dump,” and I have no problem cutting them. Others whisper it, and I try to make them work, but, if I can’t, then I scream “dump!”
LaDonna, very well written piece. Did you have to dump much of it?
jk
I sometimes write a scene that I know as the next scene starts shouldn’t be there. I do cut and paste it, though, into a CUTS file and I’m surprised at how often I cannabalize parts of those cut scenes later in the story.
Jody, a girl after my own heart!
And yep, it takes distance, and then there’s still patches of fog. I basically wanna keep them all! 
Karin, I wanna conquer storytelling like you have! I’ve learned much reading your blog! And I love it that you’ve reached a great stride. I guess at some point, it does happen. That’s the day I’m waiting for.
Your experience writing REDEMPTION sounds heavenly.
Cynthia, that’s my problem now. It’s not always obvious what needs to go. And I like it that you “keep” them somewhere. Sounds like you’re able to spot some of them, though. And that’s great!
LOL, Kath. The scenes needing to go are going. And like Karin commented, additional scenes required fill those pages beautifully. So, it’s all good! I’m just trying to master the process during the writing process. If it ain’t needed, I don’t wanna write it!
Michelle, cool idea! I suppose I’ve done that unconsciously too. Hey, I do feel better! Maybe I’m getting the hang of spotting those scenes after all.
I’m a newbie to the Magical Musings blog/website, but I just have to tell all of you that I love it here! I’m a fellow speculative fiction writer (not so much magic, but more supernatural/sci-fic/fantasy).
I personally hate cutting scenes, but it’s something I have to do regularly. I wish I could wait until the entire manuscript was finished before I begin editing, but unfortunately, that’s not the way I do it. I clean up everything and try to make it beautiful. I guess I am continually trying to convince myself that I really can write. First drafts just give me the creeps. So when I cut something I have already fallen in love with it.
Oh that’s adorable. A writer who can’t even spell her own name right. Sigh. Well, hi everybody. Just a minor identity crisis.
Welcome to Magical, Merrie! I’m so glad you love it here. It’s like family, truly. And I totally get what you’re saying about being so connected to those scenes you might end up cutting. No time is a fun time to cut imo.
I admire that you clean up as you go. I bet your stories are wonderful! And don’t forget, tomorrow Nancy Haddock will be sharing her success story with Magical. It’s a great blog.
I’m so glad you found us!
Very good blog, LaDonna. And very timely. It doesn’t happen often that I have to cut them but I hate cutting scenes. As Karin says, if it doesn’t move the story along, its deadwood. Like Edie, I save those scenes because where it may not work in this story, it might work in another one. I’ve got a whole folder full of cut scenes.
Thanks, Liz! I don’t put mine in a file, but am going to start doing so. Like you said, they might come in handy again.
LaDonna.
I never know my orphan scenes until after the book is finished and I start revising. That’s when I realize which scenes are necessary and which aren’t.
At first, it made me cringe to cut anything. But it kept getting easier and easier, until now I don’t even give a whimper….most of the time.
LOL, Theresa, about the whimper. I’m just happy you recognize those scenes that need to go. I’m getting there!