Writing the Boring Parts

Oh, I was just responding to "Tell, don't show." This is the "boring parts" thread, not the flirting thread.

 

Yeah, but it's the same part of the story that it's in reference.

 

This is a great principle and one I also try to follow. If you feel bored writing it, you'll likely bore the readers. Find ways to inject life into that area, approach it in a new interesting way. Modify the scene until it IS engaging.

 

I'm wondering if you saw the post I was responding to, but, OK.

 

I saw it and I don't think the approach applies here. Because this seems like a scene that wants to be shown.

 

I think that you're assuming that the whole thread is exclusively about the OP's scene. I think it's moved on.

 

Well, she said "if it's boring, tell us and move on" or something. Which seems to be directed at the specific reply for help, rather than general discussion. That's just my interpretation.

 

In principle, I completely agree. As a reader, however, I have to say that I have read a lot of boring parts over the years. I should probably read less scholarly non-fiction...

 

I'd have to disagree with this. I've read A LOT of boring scenes that were technically well written.

 

Technical writing ability and the ability to make something not boring are two different skill sets.

 

When I get to a boring part, or when I think I might be about to stop writing because I am not 'Feeling it' in that moment, I read this: https://www.penny-arcade.com/news/post/2015/12/11/validation-syndrome

Then I watch this:

Then I turn on this:

Then I write.

 

I think it is important not to have boring parts. I have no qualms about stopping a book at any point if it gets boring, even if I'm 3/4 of the way through it. Yes, the author already has his royalty for that particular book, but I won't likely be buying any of his work in the future.

 

Correctly written is not necessarily well written. If it was boring, it was not well written.

 

Have you ever read the Wheel of Time. Robert Jordan is a phenomenal writer with a habit of bogging down his stellar writing with scenes that drag. George R.R Martin and many other high fantasy writers are also guilty of this at times.

Writing competency and boring do not always go hand in hand and is often subjective.

 

Agreed. I personally find the constant descriptions in Lord of the Rings boring. I can handle and even enjoy a certain amount of detailing, but after a while, I just skip over it.

 

Every scene contributes in some way to the final scene.

The way I get through those 'boring' scenes is to:

• plant some object or environment essential to the climactic scene, but in a way that doesn't scream "this will be important later," or
  
• establish a character trait essential to a decision that will be made leading into the climactic scene.

And suddenly they aren't so boring. It takes a lot of thinking and decision-making to properly foreshadow a climactic scene without giving everything away. You can't have a twist without leading your reader down the garden path a bit and those misdirections should keep you from getting bored, too.

 

After trying to write a,b,c,d,e for several years, I found that writing a, d, e then going back to b and c so much easier. Write what you want, don't make writing a chore.
In terms of worrying of missing key moments, I found that if I create say 30 blank word processor docs aka chapters, I can plot key points in bullet points, and then leap to whichever chapter I want to write.

 

Basically what I do.

 

If you think the scene is absolutely necessary and can't be cut, but you're discouraged because it seems boring, maybe leave it in but tweak it into a form that's NOT boring.

IOW isolate that specific scene then study how to redo it but to still deliver the same info for the story's sake. Find a DIFFERENT way to deliver that same plot info. (I'm referring to the WHAT of what you are saying, not the HOW it is being presented.)

In screenwriting we do bumper car combos, where we ram disparate scenes together to create a new entirely different scene, one that has components from both former scenes but is now more interesting. (theoretically that is, lol)

 

If you've made your readers care enough about your story and have developed strong characters, the "boring" parts shouldn't feel boring. There's always ways to make the seemingly bland parts interesting - you just have to do a little extra work to keep your readers attention.

 

Agreed. Look at cutting out the slow parts with a pointed conclusion, then pick back up again with a "drop in."

 

I love this title, and I am going to express the conceit to respond... oh yeah. Make the boring parts fun. You know that trilogy? Stick it all in one book, because if that book ain't bought you are some unhappy self-publishing schmuck full of more bullshit than promise. (That describes me btw).