Separate scenes too frequent?

[Silas]

I know This is my third thread since I joined a few days ago, but this site is such a valuable resource, I'd be a fool not to utilize it . So my novel is going pretty well, if a little slow, but I am changing scenes very frequently and I'm afraid the reader might find it disruptive. I'm trying to keep the writing fresh and exciting and I don't want scenes to drag on needlessly, but I've only written 4.5k and there are already five different scenes and I'm about to start the sixth. It reads fine for now, but as the novel gets bigger I'm afraid the scenes will be too disruptive. I've never read or heard of a 400 page novel broken into hundreds of scenes. I keep telling myself that the pace will slow down as the novel continues, but this doesn't seem like such a good thing either. Suggestions for a way to solve this problem (if it is indeed a problem) would be of tremendous help.

 

[kmtolan]

There is no fast and hard rules about how many scenes are in a chapter, however if you are noticing a lot of scenes then perhaps you have too many - a lot of it is writer's instinct. Also, bumpy or otherwise poor transitions between scenes can make even a few scenes read like too many. Scenes are often containers for complete actions. A decision is made. A fight happens. Introductions. If you carry a unit of action across several scenes, and the scene itself carries no weight in this action, then perhaps the scene change is not necessary. This is a very subjective problem that can best be solved by having another peer read a sampling and judge accordingly.

Kerry

 

[ShellyS]

Go with what feels right. I've read books where one scene flowed into the next without a physical break and there was one with short, numbered scenes (no chapters), and pretty much everything in between. It only bothers me if the writing isn't good.

 

[Window Bar]

The number of scenes shouldn't matter, provided there's consistent clarity about the where's, when's and who's: Where have you cut to, What is the time relation to the other action, Who is speaking.

Right now in literature, there's a fad that implies: All time is One, and it matters not Who is speaking or doing, nor where they are doing it. Pththththt!

I'm in the middle of reading Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel, a well-researched and profound historical novel set in and around the court of King Henry VIII. Although the book has sold well, and received a number of well-deserved awards, it ignores the above three rules ... all to its detriment. One of her favorite tricks is to use three proper names within a paragraph, then start the next paragraph with the word "He." And, no, it almost never refers to the last name mentioned. C'mon Hilary, you know better. One award the book will not win is "Fluency."

As for the gist of this rant, if you won't take it from me, that's fine. I'm taking it from John Irving, and his word should be worth a bit.

-- WB

 

[Silas]

Thanks for the advice all . I think scenes will work for my book, for now at least.

 

[Ramirez]

Ask yourself, is the novel still enjoyable to you? As long as it is entertaining, I don't think too many scenes would be a problem. Go back later and cut out the fat, maybe switch some of the scenes around if it works with whatever you're doing, and get a feel for the pace of the novel.

 

[Michael B]

There are two questions that I ask myself about each scene. One, have I underwritten it? Two, have I overwritten it? If I can answer no to both questions then it is the right length. If not, then I correct the problem.

As for reading stories with many scenes if you are switching between characters then it can be very appropriate, especially if they are in a confrontation with each other.