a short revision checklist: what to look for when editing your scenes

In a previous blog post I explained how scenes are the building blocks of a good story.

But if you’ve finished writing a scene and want to improve it…

Here are some prompts to get you started on the revision process for your story.

Ask yourself the following questions:

• As the author, do I personally resonate with my lead character in this scene- her responses to what’s happening, her voice, her experience? Am I immersed and intrigued by my character? Am I bringing her to life accurately? What’s missing?
  • if you don’t resonate with your protagonist yet, try keeping a journal from their perspective in a composition book. It’s a great way to discover their unique voice.
  • If it never clicks, you should revamp the story idea and character- meaning, write about someone else that you’re more passionate about. Pay attention to who you’re drawn to in real life.
• Have I included grounding and gripping sensory details that bring the scene to life with touch, smell, sight, sound…?
  • Use synonyms from a thesaurus for word choice ideas.
  • If your sensory details tend to be lacking in general, spend some time IRL Exploring the world. Go to a nearby city or out in the forest and just immerse in your 5 senses- people watch, enjoy the nature. and then write down everything you can remember about the experience to make it vivid. Keep observing the world and practicing.
• Does the scene have a goal in the overall narrative? The scene should embrace and fully involve itself in the conflict. If your character can leave the scene exactly the same person as when they entered it, it’s likely unnecessary. In one sentence, summarize the purpose of this scene and what happens in it, for your notes.
• What is the new information that is revealed to the characters in this scene? Do the pacing, details, and dialogue maximize the impact of this information for the reader? Review the rhythm. Is the pacing too slow? Are key emotional moments obscured by too much exposition and description? Check that the dialogue is authentic and drives the emotional subtext (especially the unsaid feelings, which is crucial for romantic themes in particular).
• Go through the scene and ruthlessly cut all unnecessary words- especially many of the adverbs and adjectives. Keep an eye out for cliches and repeated phrases. Say it a new way if it’s a very important detail- cut it all together if it’s redundant. The only exception is character habits (like a character who says shut up too often, for example) which we still ought to keep lively. You want your work to be insightful, yet concise.
• What universal human need or core value of the viewpoint character does this scene challenge or satisfy? What does this scene say about their psychology? How does this play into the theme?
• How does this scene subtly complicate the central relationship dynamics, between all the characters, whether romantic, familial, or antagonistic?

You can respond to these questions in your author’s journal, and honestly your story will develop beautifully if you keep these things in mind!

To get more writing tips, subscribe to Pen After the Storm. Our blog focuses on writing, philosophy, and art- and a journey of healing from addiction and mental illness.