I am writing a story with several transitions from one scene and characters to another setting and characters.
Example: Mother and daughter exchange dialog in living room. The story next focuses on the father dealing with an issue on his job at the same time. The two situations are related and come together later as part of the overall story.
Do I begin the second scene with: Meanwhile,....? Suggestions welcomed.
Adom
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Looking for best way to move from one scene to another.
Orgasm Aficionado
You are right to think about alerting your readers to a change of scene. I like to use ***** for minor changes or o-O-o for a major break (for example at the end of an introductory piece which is independent from the main story). If you want to see what it looks like in practice have a look at Not Dead.
Active Ink Slinger
My story, Circle of Friends uses a lot of scene transitions as it tells seven mini stories about seven characters. Like Abigail, I used story breaks (****) to signal the start of each new mini story.
I've seen other authors use italics to signal a separate sub-plot. I personally don't like this - I prefer to see story telling with words rather than typography. The practice encourages lazy writing.
I've seen other authors use italics to signal a separate sub-plot. I personally don't like this - I prefer to see story telling with words rather than typography. The practice encourages lazy writing.
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Why not read some stories instead
NEW! Want a quick read for your coffee break? Why not try this... Flash Erotica: Scrubber
Why not read some stories instead
NEW! Want a quick read for your coffee break? Why not try this... Flash Erotica: Scrubber
Active Ink Slinger
NEVER say "meanwhile"
I often change location, time, or POV, by using dialogue which is obviously and distinctly that of a different character. I have also been known to us a long series of periods, but, as someone here said, it is always better if you can set then break in writing instead of using punctuation alone.
ON the other hand, Meanwhile DOES have it's place:
"Meanwhile, the Lone Ranger, disguised as a door, gets his knob blown off."
I often change location, time, or POV, by using dialogue which is obviously and distinctly that of a different character. I have also been known to us a long series of periods, but, as someone here said, it is always better if you can set then break in writing instead of using punctuation alone.
ON the other hand, Meanwhile DOES have it's place:
"Meanwhile, the Lone Ranger, disguised as a door, gets his knob blown off."
"There's only three tempos: slow, medium and fast. When you get between in the cracks, ain't nuthin' happenin'." Ben Webster
Active Ink Slinger
Loving this discussion....
Her Royal Spriteness
Quote by DLizze
NEVER say "meanwhile"
use of "Anyway" in a story is also off putting, tho it has nothing to do with changing scenes. personally i do this... o-O-o or just oOo - don't even remember where i picked it up, just started doing it one day and it works for me.
You can’t truly call yourself peaceful unless you are capable of violence. If you’re not capable of violence, you’re not peaceful. You’re harmless.
If the transition is pretty clear or there is a time or space movement (e.g. The next day; After he got up; Down the hall; In the next room; and such) I don't do much else with the transition. If it is less clear, then a physical boundary like Abigail and sprite suggest or a rewrite to add some kind of transition.