Last week Terra wrote: "I was wondering if I could get some suggestions with a problem I run into in my writing. It always seems to come easy to me to write the action scenes in a novel, but when there is no immediate danger or excitement going on, I have a hard time writing the scene. I always draw a blank on those transitional scenes that connect the big events in the book. I can't ever seem to make it smoothly from point A to point B. Can you give me any suggestions?"
I was more than happy to explore this question, as it's a problem I've run into in my prose as well. I have a feeling a lot of people do. I handle the problem by sticking with the big scenes, the ones I know how to write, for the first draft, and leaving those transitional scenes for the second draft. After I've finished the first draft, I let the book sit for a month or so and then read the whole thing. As I read, I notice other things that are missing as well: characters that need to be fleshed out, plot lines that aren't well developed, etc. The scenes I write to address those problems also serve as transitional scenes to connect the big events. This way, I'm not just trying to get from point A to B, but I have another imperative for those scenes as well. It makes them easier to write, and keeps them from reading like transitional scenes.
Certainly there's more than one way to address this problem, however. How do you connect the major points in your novel? What's been your approach to transitional scenes?
I think I have been unconsciously following your process for transitional scenes. I have been writing the bigger parts, but as I think of random transitional scenes, I will write them down and look at them later to add a few key details, such as the characters that will be involved in those scenes, and how it will lead into the next big scene. Some of my scene ideas fit in well with my story, and some do not, but it’s better to have too many bad ideas that not enough good ideas for transitions, in my opinion. I’m on my first draft now, so I haven’t yet added these transitional scenes to my story, but when I feel a bit of writer’s block during the big scenes, I go and play around with my notes and ideas for the little scenes. That way I’m always working on my writing in my spare time.
Writing my teen fiction, I had similar problems with transitional scenes at first. Then, I realised how vital they are to plot and character development. What are your characters thinking and feeling about the action that has just happened? Has it changed the way they think and feel about each other and themselves? How will it influence what is to come? In these scenes, you can weave threads into the tapestry of your plot to make it so much richer and more significant. Small details can count for so much, too. The way the hero stirs his mocha, a cat sat outside a neighbour’s door, the way the clouds look above the street. As always, it’s about ‘Show Not Tell’. All Best, Jane.
Transition Scenes in Novels
Terra, I wanted to first Thank You for asking this question. I would first have to agree with comments that the others have posted because they make a lot of sense and it should be a dependable way to resolve the issue.
But, I couldn’t help but wonder what your style of writing is since that might help determine the best way to approach the transitions.
Can you put yourself into the shoes of your character and free write their reaction to the big scene or how they are about to become involved in the next big scene.
Then go back later and edit where necessary. Also reading similar story lines might help you get an idea on how to approach a transition.
However you decide to approach the problem …Keep writing….and have fun.