I like the concept of scene "circles." It puts a word to something I have also noticed in my scenes. The circles arise because I write many scenes before I know where my story is going. I'm circling and searching in my head as I write scenes. The story is present but buried below the level of conscious recognition. This underscores not tightening too early: Until the story has substantially surfaced, I can't differentiate between circling and moving the plot.
So glad it resonates with you! I see it so often in my own first drafts and even in others’ finished books (makes me so annoyed 😅). Like you say though, no point in fixing until you’re done with the book though!
Love this newsletter! This arrived right when I needed it. I'm currently removing "Repeats" and I was getting frustrated but this makes me feel so much better! I can fix it 😊 Thanks Sooz xx
Circling! I’ve never hear anyone talk about the concept and now that I think of books that started well and grounds to a halt that’s the culprit for many of them.
Right now I’m reading a book (obvs won’t name) that has a very large POV-holding ensemble cast and several times they’ve separated in different combinations, within a very small story world with few real subplots. And they’ve had SO many of the same redundant expositional conversations and emotional beats one after another in different scenes and groups and POVs.
I loved the first part but now dialogue keeps circling as the characters pass bits of info to each other that we know (with no real impact) distracting from letting the story develop. I never recognized it before!
I love the visual way you’ve described the concept, I’ve always thought the way you use really sensory language to describe writing phenomenon is a big part of why it’s so easy to understand. Like magical cookies which will (thankfully) never ever leave my brain 😃
CLIFTON STRENGTHS!
Ahem. I was just writing on them for a paper, so I got a little excited.
Hahaha I’m such a big fan!
Reaction to my Clifton report arriving: “Huh, someone just X-rayed my soul...”
I like the concept of scene "circles." It puts a word to something I have also noticed in my scenes. The circles arise because I write many scenes before I know where my story is going. I'm circling and searching in my head as I write scenes. The story is present but buried below the level of conscious recognition. This underscores not tightening too early: Until the story has substantially surfaced, I can't differentiate between circling and moving the plot.
So glad it resonates with you! I see it so often in my own first drafts and even in others’ finished books (makes me so annoyed 😅). Like you say though, no point in fixing until you’re done with the book though!
This is such great writing advice! Thank you! 😊
Thank YOU for reading! ☺️
Love this newsletter! This arrived right when I needed it. I'm currently removing "Repeats" and I was getting frustrated but this makes me feel so much better! I can fix it 😊 Thanks Sooz xx
You CAN fix it!! 💪 Good luck!
Circling! I’ve never hear anyone talk about the concept and now that I think of books that started well and grounds to a halt that’s the culprit for many of them.
Right now I’m reading a book (obvs won’t name) that has a very large POV-holding ensemble cast and several times they’ve separated in different combinations, within a very small story world with few real subplots. And they’ve had SO many of the same redundant expositional conversations and emotional beats one after another in different scenes and groups and POVs.
I loved the first part but now dialogue keeps circling as the characters pass bits of info to each other that we know (with no real impact) distracting from letting the story develop. I never recognized it before!
I love the visual way you’ve described the concept, I’ve always thought the way you use really sensory language to describe writing phenomenon is a big part of why it’s so easy to understand. Like magical cookies which will (thankfully) never ever leave my brain 😃