Your Next Draft

How to Write a Scene of a Novel Using Story Structure


Listen Later

Scene structure is a powerful tool for editing your scenes. But what about the writing process? How can you use structure to plan your scenes before you write—and make it that much easier to edit those scenes later?

In the last few episodes, we’ve talked a lot about scenes: what they are, how they work, and how to edit them. And I’ve received tons of insightful questions about all this scene theory.

So in this episode, I’m answering your questions about scenes.

From Evan and Samrobb: What can you plan before you write in order to make writing (and editing!) easier?

From Bill: Can you have a value shift that applies to the whole story, not just a single scene?

Here’s a sneak peek at what you’ll hear in the episode:

  • Two ways you can use scene theory to plan before you write
  • The danger of using editing tools during your writing process
  • Three levels of value shifts that go beyond scenes
  • Why writing amazing scenes is an essential—and transferable!—skill
  • And more!

Have more scene writing questions? Send me an email at [email protected] with the subject line “Podcast Question,” and I’ll save your question for a future podcast episode!

Links mentioned in the episode:

  • PRIDE AND PREJUDICE by Jane Austen

Send me a Text Message!

Support the show

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

"I love Alice and Your Next Draft." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more writers through the mess—and joy—of the editing process. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap the stars to rate, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Loving the show? Show your support with a monthly contribution »

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Your Next DraftBy Alice Sudlow

  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9

4.9

75 ratings


More shows like Your Next Draft

View all
Writing Excuses by Mary Robinette Kowal, DongWon Song, Erin Roberts, Dan Wells, and Howard Tayler

Writing Excuses

1,300 Listeners

Helping Writers Become Authors by K.M. Weiland

Helping Writers Become Authors

1,003 Listeners

The Creative Penn Podcast For Writers by Joanna Penn

The Creative Penn Podcast For Writers

628 Listeners

The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience by Kelton Reid

The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience

229 Listeners

Fiction Writing Made Easy | Top Creative Writing Podcast for Fiction Writers & Writing Tips by Savannah Gilbo

Fiction Writing Made Easy | Top Creative Writing Podcast for Fiction Writers & Writing Tips

1,465 Listeners

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing by Bianca Marais, Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing

774 Listeners

Essential Guide to Writing a Novel by James Thayer

Essential Guide to Writing a Novel

413 Listeners

Writers on Writing by Barbara DeMarco-Barrett and Marrie Stone

Writers on Writing

92 Listeners

Lit Match by Abigail K. Perry

Lit Match

58 Listeners

Story Magic by Golden May

Story Magic

40 Listeners

The Resilient Writers Radio Show by Rhonda Douglas Resilient Writers

The Resilient Writers Radio Show

32 Listeners

The Whole Writer by Nicole Meier

The Whole Writer

46 Listeners

Speculative Fiction Writing Made Simple: How to Write, Edit, and Publish Your Debut Fantasy, Science Fiction, or Dystopian Novel by Heather Davis, Writing Coach, Book Coach, and Developmental Editor

Speculative Fiction Writing Made Simple: How to Write, Edit, and Publish Your Debut Fantasy, Science Fiction, or Dystopian Novel

17 Listeners

Good Hang with Amy Poehler by The Ringer

Good Hang with Amy Poehler

10,796 Listeners

Show, don't Tell Writing with Suzy Vadori by Suzy Vadori

Show, don't Tell Writing with Suzy Vadori

15 Listeners