How to Edit a Scene of a Novel, Part 1

How do you edit a scene of a novel?

In order to edit a scene effectively, you need to know a few things:

• What’s working in the scene,
• What’s not working in the scene, and
• What specific changes you’ll make to the words on the page that will fix the things that aren’t working.

That last one is the most important, and often the hardest to figure out.

How do you identify the specific changes that will improve your scene?

Ask the right questions.

In this episode, you’ll learn 12 questions that will show you exactly what to change in your scenes. These questions will show you:

• How to turn your scene analysis into practical edits you can apply right away
• Whether your scene is working—and if it’s not, the precise moments where it needs to change
• How to make sure your scene has earned its place in your novel
• How to raise the stakes by giving your protagonist a difficult choice
• What makes amazing climaxes work
• How to troubleshoot a boring climax
• And more!

This episode is packed with practical strategies to edit every scene in your novel. You might want to take notes, or even save this to listen again.

Want a quick reference guide to all 12 questions? Download the Scene Edit Questionnaire at alicesudlow.com/sceneedit.

Links mentioned in the episode:

• Download the Scene Edit Questionnaire: alicesudlow.com/sceneedit
• Ep. 8: What Is a Scene? The Ultimate Guide to Write and Edit Amazing Scenes
• Ep. 9: 5 Essential Questions to Find the Most Important Event in a Scene
• Ep. 10: How This Scene Works: Looking for Alaska by John Green
• The first scene of UNDER THE WHISPERING DOOR by T. J. Klune
• The first scene of LOOKING FOR ALASKA by John Green
• The first scene of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE by Jane Austen

Send me a Text Message!

Support the show

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

"I love Alice and Your Next Draft." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more writers through the mess—and joy—of the editing process. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap the stars to rate, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Loving the show? Show your support with a monthly contribution »