What’s the point of a scene? There’s only one answer to this question - each scene moves the story along. So if you’re writing scenes that don’t move the story along, then you’re wasting your time. Those scenes need to be deleted, no exceptions.

With my latest project, I’ve found myself asking “so what’s the point of this scene anyway” and if I don’t know the answer then I’m heading in the wrong direction. Luckily, I haven’t had many of these dead ends (only one in fact) but it’s important to remember that each and every scene must have a purpose.

Sometimes it’s difficult to delete a scene, especially one that is worded just right but leaving it in isn’t going to do yourself or your manuscript any favours. You must learn when to cut and then do it.

So, one more time, each and every scene must have a purpose and must move the story along. If it doesn’t, get rid of it.

Filed under: Editing & Rewrites, Planning, Writing: