The sequel*—the second
half of the Scene—sometimes gets shortchanged. But it is every bit as important
as the scene, since it allows
characters to process the events of the scene
and figure out their next move. The sequel
is the reaction half of the action/reaction pairing. This is where
introspective moments, quiet conversations, and character development occurs.
Even though we all recognize the importance of these things,
authors still sometimes end up hacking sequels
out of their stories in the mistaken belief that they’re bad Scenes simply
because they contain no outright conflict. No doubt, you’re familiar with the
common wisdom that every Scene (nay, every page!) must offer conflict. But this
is misleading at best.
Sequels may well
contain conflict in some form, but they’re more likely to offer tension (i.e., the threat of conflict). This is an
important distinction. Outright conflict on every single page can create a
relentless pace that ends up exhausting readers and leaves no time for important character development. Even the highest of high-speed stories must take a
break from the conflict and slow down, even if microscopically, for the sequel.
Sequels can be
full-blown set pieces that take place over dozens of pages or even multiple chapters.
They can also be limited to a paragraph or two of summary. We’ll get into
that more when we discuss Variations on the Sequel.
For now, suffice it that the sequel
is every whit as important as the flashier scene
and deserves just as much of our attention.
Like the scene, it
can be broken down into three segments that work together to create a rise and fall of drama.
Every sequel should include the
following:
Building Block #1: Reaction
Ultimately, reaction is what the sequel is all about. This is a time for
introspection on the part of the narrating character, a time for him to process
what he’s just experienced in the scene,
and a time for the author to share those reactions with the reader. Without a focus on
reactions, the character becomes an emotionless automaton, moving through the
story’s conflict without ever responding in a relatable human way.
Let’s say your character is that POW who tried to bribe a
guard to leave his post, only to have the guard throw him into solitary
confinement. This is a relatively big disaster with which to end a scene, and you can bet your character
is going to be reacting in some pretty definite ways. Whether he’s kicking and
screaming as he’s dragged to the cooler, putting on a calm façade while
mentally beating himself up for his stupidity, or threatening the guard right
back—his reactions are going to be important not just in knocking over the
story’s next domino, but also in revealing integral factors of his personality.
Too often, inexperienced writers unconsciously skip this part of the sequel without even
realizing they’re neglecting it. Because they
are so in tune with their characters, they often expect readers to understand
the characters’ emotions and reactions just as easily. Context will usually
help the author out, but don’t skimp on showing
readers what your characters are feeling.
Reactions can be processed one by one throughout the scene, summarized briefly, or discussed at length in
internal narrative or dialogue. The choice of how to impart the reaction will depend on the needs of your
story. What’s important is remembering its significance as a powerful
counterweight to the action in every scene.
Building Block #2: Dilemma
Once your character has finished his initial—and often
completely involuntary—reaction to the previous scene’s disaster, he’s going to be faced with a dilemma. Sometimes
this dilemma will be as general as, “What do I do now?” Usually, it will be more
specific: “How do I undo the disaster?” “How do I keep my best friend from
finding out the truth?” “How do I avoid the truant officer when he comes after
me?” “How do I apologize to my son before he leaves?”
In the case of our POW, his dilemma might be twofold: “How do
I get out of the cooler and/or keep from going insane while in the cooler?” and “Once
I get out, how can I proceed with my escape plan now that I know the guard can’t
be bribed?”
The dilemma is the setup for the next scene. The disaster at the end of the previous scene created a new round of problems for the character. During the
sequel, he’s going to analyze them so he can appropriately tackle them in the next scene.
Often, the dilemma will be obvious from the context. If the
POW is moldering in solitary, his problem is pretty obvious. But don’t be afraid to
state the dilemma outright, particularly for your own benefit in early drafts.
You can always cut it later if it’s going to bonk your reader over the head
with its obviousness. But you want to keep your sequels
just as focused and deliberate as your scenes.
Building Block #3: Decision
The dilemma is going to lead right into the sequel’s final part—the decision. In
order to formulate a goal for the next scene,
the character has to figure out a solution (whether it’s right or wrong) to the
dilemma. In essence, the dilemma is a question, and the decision is the answer.
This is the planning stage of your story. The characters
return from their massive defeat on the battlefield and head back to the
drawing board. They pore over maps, discuss the mistakes of the former battle,
and figure out what to do next. Compared to the battle, this is going to be a
very quiet Scene, but because of its importance and its high what’s-gonna-happen-next quotient,
readers find sequels like this every bit as intriguing (sometimes more so) than the race-’em-chase-’em
scenes.
Our captured POW is going to enter his concrete cell, sit
down, and start thinking furiously. His sequel
is probably going to last days, or even weeks, since he can’t take action until
he gets out of the cooler. He
might make and remake his decision a dozen times over, if doing so serves the purpose of the story. But by the time the sequel ends and he is set free, he needs
to have decided upon his next move—whether it’s punching that nasty guard in the
face, trying to bribe a different guard, or even giving up on the escape
attempts altogether. Whatever his decision, it will bridge the sequel with the next scene and set up his new goal.
Can you see how integral your scenes and sequels must
be? They are connected in such a way that to pull even just one will destroy the
seamless evolution of the plot. The disaster creates a dilemma, the dilemma
forces the character to decide what he will do next, and that decision informs the next
scene’s goal.
The Sequel in Action
Let’s take a look at the sequel,
as a whole, in action in the fourth and fifth chapters of Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice. These chapters
take place right after the dance at the Meryton Assembly, where Darcy
rejected Elizabeth as a desirable dancing partner.
Reaction: General
discussion of the dance by all the involved characters.
Dilemma: How should
Elizabeth react to Darcy’s prideful rejection of her?
Decision: To
avoid Darcy.
Sequels can often
be more difficult to spot and break down, since they occur much more quickly
than scenes, and also because their
parts are often mashed together or implied instead of stated outright. But once
you understand the components of a successful sequel and its importance in balancing and driving your story,
you’re well on your way to writing a smashing second half to all your Scenes.
*For the purposes of this series, “Scene” with a capital S will refer to the scene in general (which can include in its definition the sequel). I’ll use a small s and italicize scene and sequel to refer to the two different types of Scenes.
Stay tuned: Next
week, we’ll talk about Options for Reactions in a Sequel.
Tell me your opinion: What happens in your latest sequel?
Related Posts: 5 Ways You’re Preventing Readers From Suspending Disbelief
Are You Skimming Your Story’s Potential?
Why You Should Spend More Time on Character Than Action
Tell me your opinion: What happens in your latest sequel?
Related Posts: 5 Ways You’re Preventing Readers From Suspending Disbelief
Are You Skimming Your Story’s Potential?
Why You Should Spend More Time on Character Than Action
Click the “Play” button to Listen to Audio Version (or subscribe to the Wordplay podcast in iTunes).
Story by K.M. Weiland
Tags: decision , dilemma , Feature , reaction , sequels , story structure , structuring your story's scenes , SYN
Great post :D
Sequels are really important, we should not dread they could be boring :P
Exactly. In fact, sequels can be some of the most fun Scenes to write. The opportunity for character development is never higher than in the quiet, introspective moments of the sequel.
Oh, I agree! It´s then when your character is emotionally there and becomes more real :)
And, really, good fiction = good characters = emotional resonance.
So true. We all love a good story, but what´s better than a character you can feel deep within? :D
In my current sequel (which I'm ALMOST done with--been staring it down for WAY too long!), my MC is contemplating how he keeps screwing things up with his client (they're both attracted to the other, but come at it from completely opposite ends of the moral spectrum), then shifts into deciding what needs to be done next on the case. There's some footwork going on, but it's mostly a quiet scene--err, sequel. ;) Definitely some tension when the client shows up since he hasn't decided what to do about her yet.
While I love to write my action-packed scenes, I do enjoy writing the sequels probably best of all. It provides a nice balance overall to any story to have properly placed and paced sequels.
I always enjoy sequels. As a writer, I need that time to figure out what my characters are really feeling about situations. The sequel is the single most important factor in creating a logical and linear plot.
This makes me feel like I'm on the right track. Sorry if it sounds like I'm bragging.
That's a good thing! Author's instincts are usually pretty accurate. Sometimes it's our brains that get in the way, so if e can realize we're on the right track, mentally, it's much easier to *stay* on the right track.
THANK YOU so much for this!! I am writing the sequel to The Dragon Forest right now. The main thing I wanted in the sequel was a tough decision my main character would need to make. This choice would project the story forward!
After reading your post, it seems I am on the right track. Whew!
THANK YOU again!
I'm sure you're all over this, but, just to be clear, I'm talking about the sequel as the second half the Scene, not the follow-up to a previous book. In the case of a sequel book, the same rules apply as in normal story structure.
And think thats the part I forgot in my miniature plot outline. I'm a little unsure of how to go about sequels, as I'm not sure how long it should be for something that's suppose to be an epic poem.
I'm not really going for an "action adventure" per say, though it has action scenes. I'm going for more of a thinking or introspective story. Would this require shorter action, and longer sequels? I'm not sure.
Sequels can be as long or as short as you want them to be. Most action stories will focus more on scenes, thus ramping up the speed. On the other end of the spectrum, you have literary stories that spend a lot of time on sequels and convey a more leisurely pace. Just think about how much emphasis you want to put on your character's reactions vs. their actions. For example, if you know a particular reaction is going to end up being especially important, you'll probably want to devote a longer sequel to it.
Thanks for the free lesson on writing. My pattern is to outline each chapter or scene, and now I'm adding the three elements of a sequel to it. With over 20 years as a non-fiction writer, this kind of information is just what I need to learn new good habits.
If you're already an outliner, fitting in proper Scene structure usually feels very natural. If anything, it makes the outlining process even easier!
A lot of it might also depend on if its a political thriller over an action thriller too I guess.
Pacing is always a big factor in what makes up a genre. Reading broadly in your chosen genre is the best (read: only) way to really get a sense for what's appropriate and what's not.
So reading in Bizarro, Military Sf, Biopunk, Anime Novels, Contemporary, & Epic Poetry might be beneficial.^^
Well actually, its more like the battles themselves aren't shown, rather its something like how some parts of Italy are set up. You don't ever really see the the old sacking of Rome, but you feel the after effects of it in the underground ruins.
Its hard to explain unless your familiar with Brutalist architecture.
Definitely beneficial. And it's still beneficial to read genres you're not writing as well. Every story can teach us something.
Well especially if it might have some features. Even though I don't write romance, you never know when reading said book will have with a subplot.^^
Exactly. The broader our reading habits, the more depth we have to draw on in our own writing.