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  1. The Bishop

    The Bishop Senior Member

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    Transitioning from scene to scene

    Discussion in 'Character Development' started by The Bishop, Jan 14, 2019.

    How would you switch from one to scene to another, like switching characters, in a book? I don't want a new chapter every time, but I also want it to seem like it belongs there and doesn't confuse the reader. How would I do this?
     
  2. ChickenFreak

    ChickenFreak Contributor Contributor

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    When you say "like switching characters" are you saying that you are switching to a new POV character in the new scene?
     
  3. The Bishop

    The Bishop Senior Member

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    Yeah, I have multiple main characters, kind of like Game Of Thrones with its multiple POV's
     
  4. peachalulu

    peachalulu Member Reviewer Contributor

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    If you're switching characters keep the new name in the new opening paragraph and utilize the setting and tone to help orient the reader. Characters are usually anchored with places and objects so the quicker you can establish this the faster the reader can understand we're no longer per say on the Death Star with Darth Vader were in the m-falcon with Chewy combing out his fur.
     
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  5. ChickenFreak

    ChickenFreak Contributor Contributor

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    My unit of writing is the scene, so I don't usually worry about the transition or glue from the last scene until well after both scenes are written. But all the same, I usually have a POV-estabishing sentence or phrase very early in every scene--usually within the first three sentences. The POV character is looking at something, seeing something, afraid of something, sitting down, standing up, entering a room, leaving a room, even just feeling a breeze or having an opinion. I also often like to refer back to a previous scene, if it works.

    A sample bread-and-butter transition:


    Henry looked down at Emily. She really didn't look so good. "I could bring cold medicine."

    She waved a dismissive hand as she walked away. "I'm fine. See you at four."

    ----

    Four. Damn it, it was four. Emily had grown fond of the velvet bench outside the tearoom. She'd held it since noon, defending it against all comers--mothers with shrieking children, exhausted-looking old ladies, even a concierge who approached with a determined air but fled when the sound of Emily's coughing took on a supernatural echo suggesting the approach of a being from an alternate universe. But now she would have to get up or admit to Henry that she was not, in fact, fine.

    Get up.

    Up.

    She looked at her legs and aimed encouraging thoughts at them. Come on. Up.


    I think/hope that it's obvious that the end of the first scene is Henry's POV, while the beginning of the second one is Emily's.
     
  6. The Dapper Hooligan

    The Dapper Hooligan (V) ( ;,,;) (v) Contributor

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    Well, GOT starts a new chapter for every and I think it's a good idea because generally changing perspective brings about enough of a change to merit a new chapter and starting a new chapter generally gives you the space to explain to the reader whose head you just jumped into. If you don't think it merits a new chapter of you plan on jumping heads a lot, then you could just use a double line break between paragraphs to signify the change in POV.
     
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  7. big soft moose

    big soft moose An Admoostrator Admin Staff Supporter Contributor Community Volunteer

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    I'd generally use a paragraph break if its different players within the same scene and a new chapter if its a jump to a different scene
     
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  8. CAROLINE J. THIBEAUX

    CAROLINE J. THIBEAUX Member

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    Using a different POV is the easiest, I think. However, having too many POVs can be confusing. Choose a group of characters that you want to tell the story from and stick to them.
    The most important part is the first few chapters. Don't have too many characters until the reader has a chance to identify with them. Add the others later.

    I have multiple POVs as well as subplots. That was my biggest challenge.
    Personally, I like reading about multiple characters but you will limit your reading audience if you go that route.

    Good luck.
     
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  9. Darius Marley

    Darius Marley Member

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    Changing scene within the same chapter can be a lot of fun for readers, as long as you establish a suitable device to make the hand-off. @ChickenFreak used "----" to break the page up with a simple visual cue, which works great.
     
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  10. TWErvin2

    TWErvin2 Contributor Contributor

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    Take a look at some of your favorite books by some authors you enjoy--ones that are writing in a genre and the same POV, with multiple characters.

    Read and pay attention to how they switch from scene to scene. Note what cues they offer the reader to know it's a different perspective, that the time frame may have moved forward, and even a different place. Apply how they do it to your story, characters and writing style.
     
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