Writing Blog Number 2

20241226 Pointless Scenes

Pointless Scenes

When writing, there are a few scenes that writers feel the need to add in order to either pad the word count (did I say that?) or to just make it seem like life is more realistic. However, I think the question needs to be asked: Are these scenes really necessary?
         So, here’s a few types of scenes that tend towards the pointless.
         The most common of these is the sex scene. In some genres, it is vital, yes, but if it appears in a science fiction or horror story, say, there should be a point to include it. For characterisation or for establishing the sort of relationship, maybe. But whereas in an erotica novel, for example, a sex scene could last pages, does it need to in a standard sci-fi work? These things need to be considered.
         There is the eating scene. A lot of people complain about characters never seeming to eat or drink, but then there is the opposite where entire meals are described for pages and pages. If it is in the recipe genre ("20241025 Recipe (Cooking) Genre (Fiction)" ) then it could well be necessary, or if it helps explain the relationship between characters (see the deterioration of the marriage in Citizen Kane shown through a series of increasingly tense meals), or gives them a chance to share information in a realistic setting, then sure. It can help. But... again, the length of the scene should not out-stay its welcome.
         A common scene is the minutiae of the day scene. While this can help to establish character, it can also drag on and disengage a reader with nothing happening of consequence. It can be used to show later on how much a character’s routine is disrupted, but if just there to show a character doing “life”, the length needs to be commensurate with its importance.
         The protracted death scene is also becoming more and more common. If you are writing splatterpunk or gore-horror, then it is what the audience expects. If it is a main character, then maybe it can help build the emotions of the other characters. And if it portrays a martyrdom, then, sure, it can be really effective. But if it is just there and drawn out, the impact is often lost on the reader.
         Finally is the scene where a character is performing some vital action – say, conducting an experiment or setting a trap – and it is described in such minute detail that the reader could use the book as a “how to” guide. Some description is going to be necessary, but all of it? The issue comes when someone with greater knowledge reads the book and points out a mistake; if you were not going full-on with description, then it would not be noticed as that detail could be glossed over.
         And those are the scenes that I personally feel can be looked at as being unnecessary or maybe kept to a minimum word count. Of course, any work is the work of an author, but I do think these things could at least be kept in mind.