When to End a Scene and Start Anew
Written by Harry
July 29, 2008
A common problem for new players joining our creative writing role-playing game at Escaping Reality is knowing when to leave a scene.
Some rush through scenes and flit about from scene to scene rather than savoring the moment for all it can offer. Others drag out a scene waiting for a storyteller to provide direction or intervention and give the official word that the scene has run its course.
Like the changing of chords in a song, a scene has a certain rhythm. You can feel when the scene is flowing well between characters. Writing is easy and the scene unfolds easily on its own.
But there comes a point when the scene slows down. There’s really nothing more to say.
So why push it? It’s okay to close out a scene when the small talk begins and coming up with something to say seems forced. Let the curtains close and the lights fade.
Jumping Time
Time jumps happen between scenes. This period occurs when either the storytellers or some players in a closing scene might decide to end the scene and move on.
Just as with a movie, the scene fades to black. The new scene opens and everything begins anew.
Beginning a new scene after ending one does not mean players need to summarize each and every detail of what happened in those hours in between “then” and “now. Unless a mundane detail might be important later on, it’s safe to skip over brushing teeth or grabbing a late night snack.
Ah, but wait. If your character was brushing his teeth and he noticed he had fangs, or if your character was mugged by dubious strangers at the 24-hour drive-through window, then it’s an event worth noting. Play it out. Write it down.
The same time jump happens in novels between chapters. Each new chapter begins fresh. The introduction may sum up a few important past details, but not all, and nor does the transition require detailing every time.
The next time you start a new scene, think about what’s important and what’s not. If you feel something needs to be written (because if it isn’t written, it can’t be used later), then do so.
If not, leave it out and move on.
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It’s a difficult call sometimes. For instance right now I feel Lizzy’s scene in the hospital with her visitors is done. Fini. All I can think of to post would be, “OK, thanks for coming. Bye.” Instead of that I just started a new thread that began with Lizzy waking up the next morning. It hits on the fact that her visitors left soon after the nurse, and that Lizzy then fell asleep.
(Then again, that did assume a lot of things I shouldn’t have. Maybe Selene refused to leave my side. Maybe Johnny returned with Lizzy’s stuff and woke her. Maybe the hospital caught fire and everyone had to be evacuated during the night. Probably shouldn’t make those assumptions, huh?)
Anyway, ending the scene and posting the new one seemed a little bit abrupt. Then again, going by the chapter ending idea you talked about, I’ve read much more jolting transitions in countless books.
Nicole’s last blog post..What Comes Around
Yeah, you did assume too much and I did notice it
The thing is, before you move on to a new scene, give everyone else in that scene a chance to do their “wraps”. As ST for that scene, I did see it winding down and that’s why I made the nurse prompt the characters with a “Visiting hours are over” kind of thing. On my end, I was waiting for Selene to post her wrap before the scene gets locked.
By posting your new scene saying that everyone left immediately, that’s akin to moving characters, which we all know is a big no-no. You could have easily left that line out, or said “after the visitors left” which leaves it pretty open as to what might have happened as the scene closed.
Of course you did.
I shall edit appropriately!
Nicole’s last blog post..What Comes Around
Hmmm… you say, “if it isn’t written, it can’t be used later,” but is it okay to write some of this stuff in recaps at the beginning of a new scene? For example, when I jumped into the Marina scene with Lee, I wrote a short recap saying Nat had gotten a text from DC about leaving and the such. That sort of thing doesn’t need to be fully played out for me to use the info, right?
I just ask because it would be far too easy for me to stick in an “oh, by the way” into any post. Like, oh, by the way, Nat discovered she could shape shift last night, or something like that. To me that almost seems like cheating, unless it’s a more minor detail that wouldn’t necessarily have been interesting if fully played out. Would these sorts of things be discouraged? Or are there rules/guidelines that apply to things like this?
Again, I think I’m just managing to confuse myself more.
Allison’s last blog post..Emily’s Roll
@Allison: Writing some of the stuff, the minor details, is fine in a recap at the start of a new scene. What you have to do is think about how important is it to your character? Shifting for the first time is a biggie, like a baby’s first steps, and something that really shouldn’t be glossed over.
Take for example the hunting scene with Jake and Race. By the time we got to that part in the scene, I was way tired and didn’t feel like writing out all the blow by blow details of a first time hunting experience. It’s like combat to me. There’s only so many ways I can describe it before I feel like I’m repeating myself. However, for someone who has never experienced that through their character’s eyes, it might be something he or she wants to play out.
I did however feel that showing some of Jake’s poor hunting skills were important and it led to actions that surprised both characters. Race caught food for Jake, which was very cool and Jake got the idea to flush out prey to make the hunting easier for Race.
It all started with the premise that snow leopard cubs don’t actually hunt for themselves until they’re old enough to leave mama. The cubs stay with her for up to two years and their development is very slow.
I’m glad I didn’t gloss over it like I initially wanted to.
ROTFL! I just pictured Coop as “mama” to Jake’s leopard cub. It brings actual tears to the eyes.
Nicole’s last blog post..What Comes Around
Yup, Cooper’s stuck with Jake for a while.
Boy am I late. Having a busy at home day…
That’s interesting that you were waiting for Selene to post in that scene because I almost didn’t post at all, thinking that the scene had played out and that you had used the nurse as the “final page” post. Somehow, it wasn’t working for me so at the last minute I changed my mind and decided to add in a “see you tomorrow” to show my intent to leave.
You are right that this is the hard part. And right on its heels is the what’s next? Do Cole and Selene need to leave together in the limo as an example…( for example…because he might want to know what was said) Or does Selene just poof herself home or some place else, Which would take that opportunity away from Cole. Sometimes I think if I jumped off and started a new scene too fast I might have just shut someone out or wasted a good opportunity that someone else might have been thinking of working together.
Wendi Kelly’s last blog post..A Lighthouse in the Storm
@Wendi: When in doubt, just ask. There are some things that need to be played out and I will be starting a new thread for the two of them.
If Selene were alone, then yes, you could have started a new topic for her anywhere from the time she leaves the room to any point in the night or even early the next day.
“When in doubt, just ask.” That’s the part I need to get in touch with. I forget you are all right there on IM and PM for me to (gee whiz) just ask.
Nicole’s last blog post..What Comes Around
Always available. We’re at our computers all freakin’ day lol
I think too that ending a scene and starting a new one is a bit by feel. You know something is ending. So you figure out where characters would go next and you just start something for yourself based on that info. Then everyone is free to jump in.
Dinna ye be callin’ Coop Mama to his face lest ye want te watch a grown man deny the fact left, right an’ sideways, lassie. He isna no man’s Mama
James Chartrand - Men with Pens’s last blog post..Guest Posting: Throwing It All Away
But suddenly he’s Scottish? Huh.
Nicole’s last blog post..What Comes Around
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