Arrive Late, Leave Early...

Listen On Spotify

Listen on Amazon Music

The blank page is daunting for any writer and it doesn’t matter if you are embarking on your first novel, or you are a seasoned pro.

As you write more, you’ll find a process that suits you. Some writers just start, and let the words spew out, and then deal with technical details and plot lines later – these kinds of writers are referred to as "pantsers” – writing by the seat of their pants, and other can’t start until they have planned everything, including the characters’ back story. These writers are “plotters”.

Most of us are on a spectrum between the two. I start with an idea, I flesh it out, I have an idea of where the story is going, and then I edit, tweak and adjust as I go.

Whatever your preferred process, at some point you’ll need to make sure your story is moving along, and keeping readers engaged.

So today, let’s talk about scene structure and how understanding the technical aspects of scene writing can help your process, without killing off your creative flow.

Every scene should have a clear purpose or goal that advances the plot or develops the characters. Before you start writing, ask yourself: What needs to happen in this scene? What do the characters want to achieve?

Starting with a clear goal in mind will help you structure the scene in a way that feels purposeful and engaging.

Conflict is the engine that drives your story forward. In every scene, there should be some sort of conflict or obstacle that your characters need to overcome. This could be an external conflict, like a physical danger or a confrontation with an antagonist, or an internal conflict, like a difficult decision or a moral dilemma.

Introducing conflict early in the scene will immediately grab the reader's attention and keep them invested in the outcome.

Dialogue is a powerful tool for revealing character and advancing the plot. Use dialogue to show how your characters think, feel, and interact with each other.

Avoid expository dialogue where characters simply state information for the reader's benefit. Instead, let the conversation flow naturally, with subtext, tension, and emotion.

To keep your readers engaged, vary the pacing of your scenes. Alternate between fast-paced, action-packed moments and slower, more introspective scenes. This gives the reader a chance to catch their breath and process what's happening.

Within a scene, you can also vary the pacing by using short, punchy sentences for high-tension moments and longer, more descriptive passages for quieter, more reflective beats.

Sensory details help to immerse the reader in the scene and make it feel more vivid and real. Describe what your characters see, hear, smell, taste, and feel to create a rich, multi-sensory experience.

Be specific and evocative in your descriptions, but don't overdo it. A few well-chosen details can go a long way in bringing the scene to life.

The setting of your scene is more than just a backdrop – it can be a character in its own right. Use description to create a strong sense of place and atmosphere that reflects the mood and tone of the scene.

Think about how the setting can interact with the characters and the action. A creepy, abandoned house will create a very different feel than a sunny, idyllic meadow.

Just as important as starting strong is ending with a bang. Close your scene with a hook that leaves the reader wanting more. This could be a cliffhanger, a revelation, a twist, or a new question that needs to be answered.

And with cliffhangers in mind, the second technique for writing engaging scenes is to Arrive Late and Leave Early!

This was sage advice from the legendary crime writer, Elmore Leonard.

What does "Arrive Late and Leave Early" mean?

Picture this: you're watching a movie, and the scene opens with two characters already mid-conversation. You're instantly curious about what they're talking about and how they got there. That's arriving late. Now, imagine the scene ends right after a major revelation or a cliffhanger. You're left wanting more, eager to see what happens next. That's leaving early.

Elmore Leonard applied this principle to his writing, and it's a surefire way to keep your readers engaged. By dropping them into the middle of the action and leaving them craving more, you create a sense of intrigue and momentum that keeps them turning the pages.

So, how do you arrive late in the scene? Here are a few tips:

 Don't bore your readers with unnecessary pleasantries or mundane details. Jump straight into the meat of the scene.

 Begin your scene with a disagreement, a challenge, or a problem that needs solving. This immediately grabs the reader's attention.

Use dialogue because it’s a great way to quickly establish the context and the stakes of the scene. Plus, it's more engaging than lengthy descriptions.

You can also hint at what came before by sprinkling subtle clues about what happened before the scene started. This creates a sense of intrigue without bogging down the pacing.

Begin your scene with something unexpected that immediately grabs the reader's attention. For example, "She walked into the room and threw the gun on the table."

Engage your reader's senses by describing what the characters see, hear, smell, taste, or feel. This helps to quickly immerse the reader in the scene.

You need to make it clear to your readers what's at risk for the characters right from the start. This creates a sense of urgency and tension that keeps the reader engaged.

Now that you've got your readers hooked, how do you keep them wanting more? Here's how:

End on a cliffhanger: Leave your scene at a point of high tension or uncertainty. This creates a sense of anticipation that compels readers to keep going.

Don't tie up every loose end. Leaving a few mysteries unsolved will keep your readers curious and engaged.

 Give a glimpse of the challenges or conflicts that lie ahead. This creates a sense of foreboding and anticipation. Try to set up your next scene.

End with a memorable, impactful line that lingers in the reader's mind long after they've finished reading.

You could also close your scene with a surprising piece of information or an unexpected turn of events. This leaves the reader eager to find out what happens next or end your scene with a ticking clock or a looming deadline. This creates a sense of pressure and anticipation that carries over into the next scene.

Leaving a character in jeopardy, facing a physical, emotional, or psychological threat creates a strong hook that keeps the reader invested in the story.

And for continuity you could close some scenes with a line or image that echoes something from earlier in the story. This creates a sense of cohesion and resonance that lingers in the reader's mind.

In my cozy novels, I often repeat a phrase that I used at the start of the scene , or use a similar phrase at the beginning of the next scene.

Let's take a look at how Elmore Leonard himself put this principle into action. Here's the opening line from his novel "Glitz":

"The night Vincent was shot he saw it coming."

Bam! Right away, we're thrown into the middle of the action. We don't know who Vincent is, why he was shot, or who shot him, but we're instantly hooked and want to find out more.

Here's another example, this time from his novel "Get Shorty":

"Chili Palmer's last collection was at a movie theatre."

Again, we're dropped into the middle of a scene with no context, but we're immediately curious. Who is Chili Palmer? What does he collect? Why was he at a movie theatre? These questions compel us to keep reading.

Crafting engaging scenes is all about creating a sense of momentum and intrigue.

While arriving late and leaving early is a great way to create engaging scenes, it's important to find a balance between action and reflection. If every scene is packed with high-stakes action, the reader may become fatigued or desensitized.

To avoid this, consider alternating action-packed scenes with quieter, more introspective moments. These scenes can provide valuable insight into your characters' thoughts, feelings, and motivations, and give the reader a chance to catch their breath before the next big event.

Ultimately, the "arrive late, leave early" technique is just one tool in your writing toolbox. As you develop your craft, experiment with different approaches and find the style that works best for you and your story.

Some scenes may benefit from a slower, more gradual build-up, while others may require a more abrupt, in-your-face opening. The key is to be intentional about your choices and to always keep your reader's engagement in mind.

Lastly, be prepared to edit ruthlessly. Cut any extraneous details, dialogue, or description that doesn't serve the goals of the scene.

Keep the pacing tight and the focus clear. Every word should earn its place on the page, and every scene should do a job, and be there to move the story forward.

So go forth and craft some killer scenes, writers! And I’ll be back next Monday.