How to Write Scene Transitions (in Novels!)

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

Got any other tips on scene transitions? What works for you?

[@chelseawritesbooks8763]

I just deleted and changed a ton of scenes where there was no change. They were fun to write, but not important. Already my book flows so much better.

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

That's awesome, Chelsea! Deleting a scene feels awful until you actually do it and realize how much better the draft is! :)

[@reginaduke7451]

Good morning! I try to end scenes with a tease or cliffhanger (can be as simple as "That's when all hell broke loose." Then the next scene is what's happening with some other character. Then back to first scene, where we learn what "all hell" meant. Babbling. Writing an epilogue.

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

Hi Regina! That's great advice - cliffhanger endings never fail, imo. Good luck with your epilogue (and congrats on getting to the end!!!)

[@sherrylalonde5719]

This was brilliant, thank you for addressing this. These examples were excellent and really make it clear. Even though I've probably read thousands of well done scene transitions, the rules of writing are never just internalized; I always have to figure out how it's done before I can accomplish it. Reading a lot can give you a feel for good or bad writing but it can't magically make you a good writer. I wish:) Thanks for this!

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

I'm so glad this was helpful, Sherry! Reading novels is honestly the best way to become a better writer, imo - but you make a good point about internalizing it. I guess it's a matter of reading and consciously thinking like a writer, asking "why did the author do this?" or "why does that metaphor work so well?" is what makes it helpful! (And then, of course, you've gotta actually write...but you're already doing that!) :D

[@DefektiveEnvy]

What I love about your videos is your enthusiasm for messiness, especially in the beginning stages. I also love the freedom of not worrying about anyone reading my 0 draft. I love to write down any ideas, phrases, words, or scene ideas, even if I don’t know I’ll keep it or if it’s “good.” Later I can connect the dots and find gems I’m glad I didn’t neglect to record

[@kanashiiookami6537]

I think I'm basic for scene transition; starting with an impactful sentence or bit of dialogue (usually to draw myself into getting set in the world and character's minds) and ending with either a subtle hint of what's to come (usually, though that's just my reminder to myself😅 while writing) or a cliffhanger when needed...or what may be very boring is the character falling asleep and the transition being the next morning. Because of that last scene transition device, during edits I realised how often one character seemed to have naps during the day, but as silly as it felt during the time, I realised later that I could weave it into the plot with how he spent most nights awake and scared because of his traumatic past, and how he needed those naps in the story to function. Because, later on, without them, he becomes sleep deprived in a way that furthered my plot and the story with a pace that, in my outline, didn't quite make sense until this revelation. (A journey that shouldn't have taken long for him to reach his goal, which would have defeated the time sensitive suspense going on in the side character's plot. So because of this exhaustion he got into an accident that ended up setting him back and adding more suspense to what *should* have been an easy win for him. [If I sound like I'm rambling, I promise this makes more sense in the actual series!]) So yeah, sometimes an overdone scene transition for a character that you only catch having had done while editing can actually help your story, even if it doesn't seem like it at the time. 😅

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

That makes total sense, K! And it's a great example of how sometimes you just need to write a bunch of scenes in order to get to know your character and figure out his real purpose in your story!

[@LauraWrites]

Omg progressing time through transitions is my Achilles heel! Thanks for this video! It gave me a lot to think about!

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

You're so welcome, Laura!! I'm so glad it was helpful! :D

[@fridgeghost4017]

This will be so useful when I start editing my nano novel because I know there are problems

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

So glad you found it helpful, FG!

[@jasonhacker9059]

Thanks so much! Quick and to the point! I have just finished my first book and was totally lost as to what to do next. Thanks so much!!!

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

You're very welcome!

[@coldfirelightpoe6803]

Love what you said about a character changing emotional response from beginning to end of scene.

[@heathermacdonald6404]

Thanks, Michelle! Another helpful video about an important topic. Hope your work is going well, and you're finding time to enjoy the festive season.

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

So glad you liked it, Heather! And thanks so much - I hope your December is going well so far!

[@lazarusrize]

I split my screen this morning: Microsoft Word on the left and your wonderful face on the right. New Heading: Scene Transitions. This was great information, and I look forward to your other content. Thank you, and Happy New Year, Michelle!

[@JoeyPaulOnline]

I loved the examples and useful to know will be keeping this in mind during revisions this month!

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

Yay, I'm so glad it was helpful, Joey!

[@annemong3573]

This video was so informative, very well narrated and illustrated. Thank you so much!

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching, Anne! :)

[@ran_loona]

The way you explain things makes it so easy to understand! I'm only using the advice to finish editing my first long fanfiction but who knows, maybe I'll gather my courage and write my own work one day :D

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

Thank you so much! Hey, your first long fanfiction - that's a big accomplishment!! 😄 There are so many authors out there who are prolific fanficcers too. No reason you can't do both!!

[@writenowdream3882]

I was thinking that if scenes don’t add to the story, delete them. I did not realize that while they may be relevant, if no change happens then the scene is dead weight. Time to rewrite!

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

Absolutely true!!

[@kirstenlund8976]

This helped me figure out what was wrong with my book and how to fix it. Thank you!

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

That's awesome!! I'm so glad to hear that, Kirsten! :D

[@DaltonKevinM]

When I compose a scene, I see it. I could, if I felt so inclined, tell you what camera angle I saw in my head for each and every sentence. I probably just consume way too much media. But because I see it in my head shot for shot, the only "transition" that I ever put any conscious thought into was a hard cut, which I consider to be the double carriage return.

[@vizeath]

Thank you for the education. 😊 I was worried so much with the lengths of things.... I was afraid it would be too short or too long.

[@blessedbev1]

What's the heading for the part 2 video?

[@albertmarble]

I was looking for the same one :)

[@TheRayvolution]

New to your content. Very. Very. Helpful.

[@jpch8814]

I wrote a long dinner scene between friends reuniting, it's 1000 words full of banter and fun, but it doesn't add much to the plot 😥

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

That's totally okay! Just keep going till you finish the draft. When you revise, you'll either figure out a way to make that scene move the plot forward, or you can take that fun dialogue and move it to more conflict/action-filled scenes!

[@ann_making_stuff4426]

Thank you for this~