wordwalker
Auror
A weakness I'm starting to see in my writing:
I know where the story is going, but again and again I find I finish a chapter and realize that characters have fought or argued or investigated but nothing has happened that tangibly changes the balance of things. Ideally I think more scenes should make some specific change: a distinct new lead found or followed (or lost), an important tool discovered or destroyed, an alliance made or ruined, a character hurt/captured or healed/freed, and so on.
In comparison, a set of scenes without those changes seems to be either coasting (if mediocre) or building more of the same momentum (if done well). Of course we all know plenty of sequences that work without them, but I'm trying to be sure that more of mine don't just forget to work these in.
Anyone else have concerns like this, or any thoughts on how to cover them?
I know where the story is going, but again and again I find I finish a chapter and realize that characters have fought or argued or investigated but nothing has happened that tangibly changes the balance of things. Ideally I think more scenes should make some specific change: a distinct new lead found or followed (or lost), an important tool discovered or destroyed, an alliance made or ruined, a character hurt/captured or healed/freed, and so on.
In comparison, a set of scenes without those changes seems to be either coasting (if mediocre) or building more of the same momentum (if done well). Of course we all know plenty of sequences that work without them, but I'm trying to be sure that more of mine don't just forget to work these in.
Anyone else have concerns like this, or any thoughts on how to cover them?
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