Why not?
- Sometimes it's because of the actor's schedules or health or commitments
- Perhaps they only can shoot scenes in a certain location at a certain time
(1) It improves our ability to write in scenes - we are often told it's better to write in scenes but many writers lament that it's hard, "I don't know where one scene ends and another starts in my novel." Well, when you write in scenes (and scenes out of order) you are forced to have a starting point and an ending point. You will focus more on the goal of the scene--the reasons for that scene.
(2) The setting stays fresh in our minds - Let's say we write our scenes in order of location. Well, we have in our minds eye the location. We know where things are placed and if items are moved or changed in a previous scene, we're more likely to remember.
(3) It keeps your writing fresh - sometimes when we're writing and we get stuck, it's because we don't know where we're going with that part of the story, so move the story to a different time or location. Write all the scenes of a certain character (especially one you're jazzed about writing) or all the scenes from a certain location. It may take more planning but you may be surprised with the end product.
Have you ever done this? Do you think it will work for you? Why or why not?
Pic source: here
I've written scenes out of order once or twice, and it's tough, but I think you make an excellent point about focusing on the reason the scene is there in the first place.
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting way to look at this. I think another thing it can be great for is consistency of voice. Looking at scenes by sets of characters keep them all IN character. I've written important scenes ahead of time--that was usually to give me direction and to help me get to know some characters who I didn't have a sense of yet. I've never done more than a handful though.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Hart! For story flow, I think I'd still need to write in order, but with this last manuscript, I became adept at adding scenes. I know - most writers need to trim, but I always need to add!
ReplyDeleteI've started writing in scenes with the new wip. So far it's working out because I can make sure each scene is complete (beginning, middle, end) and fully described. It has improved my writing so much!
ReplyDeleteI've always been a pantser, so I had no idea what was coming next. But I'm trying to somewhat outline my next manuscript. I can see maybe doing an extremely rough draft of a future scene that I know will be there if I'm stuck on something earlier.
ReplyDeleteI'm all for thinking like a director. When I'm stuck on scene, I will often try to visualize it as it might appear in a movie (complete with soundtrack). Doing so can help me see things from a different perspective and offer insights that will bring the scene to life. But I've never tried writing scenes out of order. It's just not my thing. I'm too linear-minded, and the construction of my scenes are too integral to one another. What I write in one scene leads directly into the next - which means writing them out of order weakens the links between scenes.
ReplyDeleteGood morning, my dear Clarissa!
ReplyDeleteHere is why I think it won't work. Any exercise like this gets a writer 'thinking' too hard and the best, most fluid, most natural writing which gives us a lump we can shape into something readable during editing comes when we lose ourselves in the process.
Being a director puts the focus back on ourselves. Leap out of the chair, put down the megaphone and let the actors-- the characters-- lead the way. Trust. The process.
That said, being a director is a hat you might certainly wear well while editing. So maybe this post would be better served by the title, 'Three reasons to edit like a ... Director.'
Two cents. :)
It's also visual so your reader can get into the story better & get to know your characters well.
ReplyDeleteIf I have an overall arc of what the story is then I will probably be a director of my story! Yay!! Take care
ReplyDeletex
I think in scenes and am bossing like a director, so this works for me.
ReplyDeleteActually I think that is what I do nowadays. And when I get stuck, I close my eyes for a moment in order to SEE my own scene.
ReplyDeleteRight now I am experimenting with chronology so I am even trying to move back and forth in time (more than I used to). I don´t know yet if it works for me, but I know that if you don´t try, you´ll never find out.
I do write scene by scene, although I keep it chronological.
ReplyDeleteYou have some good points, but I will stick to order for two reasons:
1) It keeps my character growth organic.
2) Can you imagine the chaos if pantsers start doing random scenes?
;-)
Interesting post, Clarissa.
ReplyDeleteI find myself writing out of order when I get into a rut. Sometimes a scene just won't fall into place the way I think it should, almost to the dangerous point of going stale.
So I'll jump around.
Still trying to figure out if this is good or bad. Suze made some good points earlier that I should probably heed.
This is a fantastic idea! It breaks things down into manageable chunks too. Brilliant!
ReplyDeleteI used to just write scenes without any thought of their beginnings, middles and ends. This is a great way to think of them. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI haven't thought about it in the terms you've stated here, but I do tend to write in scenes. I often write my proposed ending before most of the rest of the story in order to have a general idea where I'm going. Sometimes I get stuck where I am in my writing and will jump ahead to scenes that have greater clarity for me. Then when I go back I usually have a better I idea of where to go from where I had previously left off. Over all though I mostly write in order for the sake of continuity and flow.
ReplyDeleteLee
Tossing It Out
I write in scenes, and in random order. First I write the scenes I really love to write. Then I try to glue it together ... and usually end up in trouble >:)
ReplyDeleteCold As Heaven
I've tried it once or twice, but I'm not comfortable with it. I have a rough outline to work with, but I'm not always sure who all has to be in later scenes:-) Yeah, I'm a recovering pantser!
ReplyDeleteBecause I used to work in animation, I'm used to story-boarding and thinking in scenes. This is great advice :)
ReplyDeleteI don’t know if I’d WANT to write like a director. I just write. I write the first draft without stopping (most of the time) so it’s scene after scene. Then in my next drafts I’ll add a scene, remove a scene, buff up a scene etc. Thanks for a stimulating post!
ReplyDeleteScenes are a great idea Clarissa....
ReplyDeleteBut I like to write in sequence and just go with the flow.
During my first novel, I got stumped on a scene; so I decided to skip it and move on to where I knew a major plot point. I finished that chapter, and wrote a couple more and then had the "aha" moment.
ReplyDeleteIt took two and a half chapters to write to the transition of the next scene, but it worked. and then I had to do extensive revisions on the future scenes; but but at least I hit that sweet spot withoug sitting for months and not producing anything.
Nah, I don't see anything wrong with "shooting" out of sequence. You never know what flexibility can inspire :)
.........dhole
Hi Clarissa .. a really interesting post - especially for a non-author! and some of the comments just add so much extra .. great thoughts - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteI tend to be pretty focussed with writing in scenes, and I tend to write sequentially, but you make a really good point. If I wrote all the scenes for one location while the location is still fresh in my mind, perhaps I'd better represent the location in my writing. Food for thought.
ReplyDeleteClarissa - This is really a very interesting way to look at the writing process! I have to say that I think in more linear a way about writing than that. But I can certainly see the advantages of stretching oneself like that. Hmm...something to think about :-).
ReplyDeleteI know people who do this, but I'm not sure it would work for me, because often in first drafts I just don't know the characters well enough.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I could write fiction like that. Non-fiction is easier - with an outline, you can basically start anywhere.
ReplyDeleteI write this way naturally. I believed everyone did until a professor said otherwise. Who knew? Not me. It just seems to be the way my mind works.
ReplyDeleteI believe one of the advices to writers I'm personally famous for is USE YOUR PEN LIKE YOU WOULD USE A CAMERA :)
ReplyDeleteFor my first novel (still in the editing phase) I wrote in scenes and often out of order. It worked for me. It did take a lot of work putting it all together though and I did write more than needed.
ReplyDeleteNow I'm writing to a plan and in chronological order and I'm finding it hard, but I console myself that the first draft will be a lot more cohesive.
WoW!!! you just sensitize me to the books i keep reading... writing is tough and challenging.... beautiful post.. very very interesting !
ReplyDeleteI like the idea because if you write a later scene first it may force you to go back and make your earlier scenes richer. Does that make sense?
ReplyDeleteWhat I need is someone to "direct" me to write more...
ReplyDeleteWhen I tried to write several screenplays a few years ago, I learned a lot about THE SCENE. The scene is where the action is. "Action is character, character is action." Plus, in a book, good dialogue moves the story forward. I agree with you, Clarissa. That's it in an excellent nutshell. And your post has gotten me hyped to go to the scenes I've already written for my second memoir. I was thinking just the other day about doing this, and now I'm going to! Doesn't matter what order they're in yet. I can visualize them functioning as a kind of outline. Character/Location. I'm printing out this post!
ReplyDeleteAnn Best, Memoir Author