We have author Susanne Hampton visiting with this awesome post on Scene Transitions.
Connect with Susanne around the web:
However a
chapter ends, the full stop needs to translate to a question mark in the mind
of the reader. The desire to know more,
experience just one more page of the story and find out what will happen needs
to override the need to close the book.
The writer must ensure the reader can’t relax and put the book down
until she discovers what happens on the next page of the journey.
Connect with Susanne around the web:
Twitter @Susannepan
Website - susannehamptonwriter.com
Transitions … moving between chapters.
Moving between
chapters is a critical part of writing.
If the ending of a chapter is bland and a non-event, then you risk the
reader putting down your book. If there is no drive for her to know what will
happen, she won’t bother reading any further. She will pull away and lose
interest and there is the even bigger risk that she may choose to never pick it
up again. It is crucial at the end of a chapter to make it difficult, almost
impossible, for her to close the book.
You want her desire to know what will happen to the hero and heroine to
force her tired eyes to stay open for just a few more pages.
As I write the
end of a chapter I want the reader to have a question and a need to know where
the story will lead. Sometimes I let her
in on one character’s back-story and POV that changes the situation and the
stakes completely. This ensures that the
reader will want to continue as she knows something that either the hero or heroine
doesn’t yet know. This gives the reader
an added investment in the outcome.
In Unlocking the Doctor’s Heart the hero
Matthew Harrison had been emotionally devastated by the actions of his former
fiancé a few years before. He shut down
completely to the idea of love but now is struggling with his developing
feelings for the heroine, Beth. She is
confused by the mixed messages he is sending but finally after he drives her
home from a medical dinner, she literally falls into his arms after tripping
and he cannot control his desire.
Forgetting everything other than his need to have her, he doesn’t care
who sees them as he loosens her hair from the elegant clasp and kisses her
passionately. Then headlights of an
approaching car bring him back to the reality of what they are doing and he
pulls away and apologises. Beth is more confused than ever and runs inside her
house.
Beth rested back against
the closed door as she dropped her clutch purse on the hallstand. She kicked
her shoes off. The house was gently lit by the lamp in her bedroom. She looked
in the hallstand mirror and saw her hair was loose around her shoulders and her
lipstick was smudged around her still quivering mouth. What just happened? She wasn’t sure.
The reader has
an insight into the hero’s torment and now knows his feelings for the heroine
are simmering close to the surface. I hope this knowledge urges the reader to
find out how the heroine will uncover his secret and if they can find love
together. I begin the next chapter back
in the bustling hospital A & E department the following day so the mood
shifts gears and the pace picks up with the awkwardness of the ‘morning after’
when nothing happened but feelings were revealed.
In my second
book, Back in her Husband’s Arms, the
heroine had walked out of her marriage to the hero three years earlier even
though they were both still very much in love.
Their opposing viewpoints on an important issue hadn’t been discussed
during their whirlwind courtship with each just assuming they would agree and
want the same thing but unfortunately it was a deal-breaker for both. Fate forces them to work together for what
look like being one very uncomfortable month as their love for each other has
not been diminished by time apart but their divorce is immanent. I end chapter four with my alpha-male hero
taking control and leaving the reader wondering how the heroine will respond
and where it will lead.
She heard his footsteps
draw nearer and she looked up to find him framed in the doorway. His face was a
little drawn but still unbelievably handsome. His jaw was darkened by the first
signs of fine stubble.
‘I’m here to take you
home.’
‘That’s very sweet of you,’
Sara remarked. ‘But I’ve already booked a taxi to my hotel.’
‘Tom crossed the room in
silence. His dark eyes didn’t start from her face for a moment. ‘I wasn’t
talking about the hotel, Sara. I’m taking you to our home.’
This statement
coupled with the chemistry they have been fighting will entice the reader to
turn another page to find out what the hero is suggesting and how far he will
push for what the reader assumes he wants. The chapter ends with the sexual
tension raised.
However a
chapter ends, the full stop needs to translate to a question mark in the mind
of the reader. The desire to know more,
experience just one more page of the story and find out what will happen needs
to override the need to close the book.
The writer must ensure the reader can’t relax and put the book down
until she discovers what happens on the next page of the journey.
*For further information about chapter endings I would
suggest reading- ‘Leave ‘em wanting
more: Effective Chapter Endings (Writing
a Romance Novel for Dummies by Lesley Wainger, Executive Editor Harlequin Books.)
Happy Endings!
Susanne
Hampton
Unlocking the
Doctor’s Heart -Mills & Boon Medical Romance March 2014
Back in Her
Husband’s Arms -Mills & Boon Medical Romance June 2014
Falling for
Doctor December - Mills & Boon Medical Romance December 2014
Great tips - and an area I need to work on!!! Thanks :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Jemi, I'm so pleased you found it helpful. My first blog on writing so glad to get your positive feedback. :)
DeleteGreat stuff! This isn't something I see written about very often. Thanks for posting!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Liz, I read so many books on the craft of writing over the years and I now when I am writing my books so much comes back and makes sense. :)
DeleteThere is definitely an art to transitioning from one scene to the next. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThanks Stephanie, I agree there are many ways to move from scene to scene and chapter to chapter and I believe it becomes your style of writing (and reading) that helps you to decide. :)
DeleteWhat great advice! I agree that the end of the chapter is the perfect spot for questions and events that will keep the reader turning the pages. What an excellent post.
ReplyDeleteWishing Susanne much success!
~Jess
Thank you so much Jess. My first about writing so quite nervous posting but very happy to get the great feedback! :)
DeleteGood advice. As a fan of the ol' serials, I favor the cliffhanger for scenes and chapter transitions.
ReplyDeleteHi Milo, I agree a good cliffhanger is definitely a page turner but it can become emotionally draining if it's every chapter/scene and the reader might be exhausted by the time she reaches the happily ever after! But a well placed cliffhanger is great. :)
DeleteGreat post. I always worry about my transitions. I have good people on my side who help me with them in the form of CP's.
ReplyDeleteThanks Medeia. Transitions can be difficult but I believe they get progressively easier the more you write. It's wonderful if you have guidance along the way. Happy writing! :)
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