Expanding an opening scene?

Misa Buckley · Feb 2, 2012

I'm working on Cassiopeia and really struggling to get more words into the opening scene. It's now at 600. I honestly can't think of how to make it longer without using exposition. Or if it even needs to be longer.

Scene up in SYW for reference.

Any advice on how to expand without getting heavy handed?

Luciamaria · Feb 2, 2012

Does it include everything you planned for it? When you read it, are you satisfied that it's got everything you need? What do you really want to elaborate on that you just can't place?

If it's zip zap zupe amazing, then you don't need to worry about adding more. There can be short chapters. It feels great to have long chapters, but the world won't end if there are short chapters.

Misa Buckley · Feb 3, 2012

Thank you.

Scott Seldon · Feb 3, 2012

Opening scenes need to be how long they need to be. There is not right length. The only thing that it does have to do is capture the reader. If it does that, its job is done and it can be short. Don't try to make it artificially long. Let it be the length that it wants to be, as long as it does the job.

Cavalier · Feb 6, 2012

Truthfully, I tend to prefer the exposition over dialogue in an opening scene to set up the tone. As I read the opening, I had hoped for more visuals of what exactly was going on around them, or the moment before the concussion blast in the first place.

Now I'm going to read the rest of that thread.

MkMoore · Feb 7, 2012

It seems perfectly long enough to me. It has a nice pacing to it, doesn't feel rushed, and doesn't feel cut off, if you know what I mean.

There's no need to drag out a scene because you feel it's too short. I've done that before and always ended up cutting it back down.

Swannington · Feb 7, 2012

MkMoore said:
It seems perfectly long enough to me. It has a nice pacing to it, doesn't feel rushed, and doesn't feel cut off, if you know what I mean.

There's no need to drag out a scene because you feel it's too short. I've done that before and always ended up cutting it back down.

This.

A scene is as long or as short as it needs to be. The scene of yours I read felt just right for what it was. No need to artificially expand or decrease the wordcount when it isn't needed.

Expanding an opening scene?

Misa Buckley

Extraordinary Romance

Luciamaria

Misa Buckley

Extraordinary Romance

Scott Seldon

Do you hear the people sing?

Cavalier

Verschränkung baby!

MkMoore

Treasure-hunter

Swannington

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