I have found that in the process of writting a novel, there can and will be varying changes of quality from scene to scene, chapter to chapter, and character to character. Usually, this is because an author likes to write about a certain character more than others or perhaps a certain sequence of scenes. The result: an obvious shift in quality. I find that some of my chapters suck so bad it was as if I had spat on a piece of paper and said "Here is chapter five." Others, I think, are pretty sweet becuase I happen to know as I'm writting that key stepping stones towards my overall themes are being placed or perhaps I really like the character, or was just in a good mood. We all know that afterwards we must go back and re-write the scene so that readers actually think we have no favorites and believe in egalatarian principales of writting. So my question is, what are your best scenes, why, and how do you fix the problem or edit it out?
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Anything I'm not sure about, I look up, for one thing. I do lots of research on areas that are addressed in my work so I don't get caught up in being vague to mask lack of knowledge.
Also, I write extensive biographies for all my main characters so I know them all well enough that I don't look like I'm favoring one over another.
As for editing...well, sometimes we must hack away what we love for the overall integrity of the story.
Also, I write extensive biographies for all my main characters so I know them all well enough that I don't look like I'm favoring one over another.
As for editing...well, sometimes we must hack away what we love for the overall integrity of the story.
Amythest said:
I don't think that. Isn't it axiomatic that a writer will have favorite characters and scenes?
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I don't really notice a drastic quality change in my work between scenes. If I don't like a character or a scene, it's because he/it is dull. If I think it's dull, it doesn't stand a chance with the readers. I do whatever's necessary to fix it before moving on.
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I've noticed the scenes I find the hardest to write often turn out to be the best to read. Perhaps when it's difficult I'm trying my hardest, and therefore really applying myself.
I tend not to have a favourite character. Whoever's POV I'm writing from, I seem to be able to become absorbed by what they're thinking/doing. If I'm re-writing, and a scene just isn't working, I take it out. I've found it's usually whole plot threads that drag a story down, but these don't really become apparent until I'm reading the first draft. Though removing whole chunks of the story and supplementing something else is always a bit daunting, I've never shied away from doing it. I'd rather take the bad stuff out, regardless of how much work it involves, rather than soldiering on and hoping readers will like it.
I tend not to have a favourite character. Whoever's POV I'm writing from, I seem to be able to become absorbed by what they're thinking/doing. If I'm re-writing, and a scene just isn't working, I take it out. I've found it's usually whole plot threads that drag a story down, but these don't really become apparent until I'm reading the first draft. Though removing whole chunks of the story and supplementing something else is always a bit daunting, I've never shied away from doing it. I'd rather take the bad stuff out, regardless of how much work it involves, rather than soldiering on and hoping readers will like it.
JBI
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Try writing in the omni point of view if the characters are together, or perhaps try writing in the first person. I can't really help you there since I map out everything before I begin writing, but a good way to help is to really prewrite where you want the plot to go, and then moulding it, as aposed to writing the story as you go. In terms of quality, just reshape, edit, and fix up your work after it is done. Eventually it will look nice.
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