Ensure scenes remain authentic and fit other elements of the story

For example, a character should not appear benevolent in one scene and cruel in another without a good reason. Scenes should contain details that are consistent with the roles of the characters and they should fit in the overall goal of the work.

Where inconsistencies appear, it should be obvious to the reader why this is so. In Murder at Murky Marsh, the corrupt brothers initially appear intelligent and compassionate when they first arrive in Murky Marsh. To the reader, however, it is clear that their gracious efforts are only to gain the trust of the naïve inhabitants of the settlement. Once they have earned their trust and have established their control, they cunningly begin to execute their real plans.

An author should never use scenes to prematurely add descriptions or reveal something in the work. The whole story should flow.

Remember to keep your focus on the main character(s)

It is easy to get lost when it comes to creating scenes. How do you balance between writing the scene and remaining focused on the main character?

If possible, ensure that your book only makes use of a few characters. The more characters, the more space you will need to include all their perspectives which makes it more likely that you will lose your focus.

When a conversation happens between two people, their roles are more prominent and their personality can effectively be brought out.

Another way you can ensure that your main characters remain the focal point of your scenes and ultimately your story is to include them in many if not all of the scenes in the book, even if their role may be minor in particular scenes. The main character, for instance, can observe an exchange between two other characters without voicing his opinion directly.

Match your scene with the setting of the story

A dark, rainy night may be a more suitable setting for a murder scene than a bright warm day. Sometimes, when effectively written, the happenings in a scene can sharply contrast with the background which makes the incident unexpected. An example could be a sea monster suddenly appearing in a lake that appeared calm and serene.

In The Earl’s Son, a battle between two kingdoms in the story could happen at sea. The opposing forces are on ships, as they approach each other. However, the warriors on one side are more skilled at sea while the others are more skilled on land which makes the location of the scene of the battle a key feature in the story.

Consider time in which events occur

Your scenes should correspond to the period in which the whole story falls. If your whole story takes place within a month, the scenes should also reflect this. A brief explanation of when the scene takes place should be included if it is not automatically obvious. In case of a flashback, the scene should be differentiated from the rest of the story, possibly, through the use of a different format when writing the flashback.