tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post2441456136426193429..comments2024-01-12T00:48:48.031-06:00Comments on Go Teen Writers: Section Breaks vs. Scene BreaksStephanie Morrillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-8001914514620175682016-07-08T16:19:35.113-05:002016-07-08T16:19:35.113-05:00This was so helpful. My chapters for my novel were...This was so helpful. My chapters for my novel were super short prior to reading this, because I had no idea how to transition between scene breaks-- every scene break then became a new chapter! Here's a suspenseful chapter-break line from my WIP--<br />"Up ahead, I could see the familiar side alleyway dividing my apartment building from the one beside it; a cramped space probably used to store garbage bins. The streetlamp nearby was off. There was nothing strange about that-- a lot of streetlamps around that part of town were broken or faulty. I didn’t think anything of it.<br />The light buzzed as I walked by, and the bulb flickered weakly-- once, twice, again--<br />It turned on. <br />I blinked, my eyes adjusting to the light-- <br />And I stifled a scream."<br />Have to work on getting away from those dashes, but I'm stuck on how else to convey the level of urgency I'm looking for. Oh well.Kaleighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15279063766021811509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-88034384927184987942016-03-19T19:37:20.417-05:002016-03-19T19:37:20.417-05:00Thank you for this! Very informative. :) A (hopefu...Thank you for this! Very informative. :) A (hopefully appropriately cliffhanger-y) excerpt from my current project:<br />She put her hand against a tree trunk and jumped in terror when the ivy started to wrap around her hand. She pulled it away fearfully and stood as far away from every tree around her as she could. Where was she? Why was the forest attacking her? And, most importantly, who was she?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13936083662930675324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-79125308396778407112016-02-11T22:13:16.293-06:002016-02-11T22:13:16.293-06:00I love that you use them every time. I can't ...I love that you use them every time. I can't really tell whether mine should be a section or scene break, so I've been doing all scene breaks. Thank you as well for the hint about the doodads, I like to use tildas in mine (~ * ~ ~ * ~ ~ * ~) but I don't want to appear unprofessional, so I'll definitely stop. Thanks for the advice!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13126408307286838355noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-41888057755025641162014-12-25T09:40:45.773-06:002014-12-25T09:40:45.773-06:00DUDE. I always see this in books, and this is some...DUDE. I always see this in books, and this is something that's been bothering me for AGES, because I just didn't get it. Thank you so much for this post! :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-83745800666084351322012-10-11T15:26:07.141-05:002012-10-11T15:26:07.141-05:00Ah, so that's why. :) Thanks, Jill!
My line (...Ah, so that's why. :) Thanks, Jill!<br /><br />My line (opened up my ms and chose at random): Lord, did You fashion her after an angel or a lioness? I am having the hardest time deciding. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06150136011032761640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-83378256031642681472012-10-11T15:23:47.189-05:002012-10-11T15:23:47.189-05:00Love the rhythm to this line, Meg!Love the rhythm to this line, Meg!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06150136011032761640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-32543498989095252602012-10-04T23:21:17.900-05:002012-10-04T23:21:17.900-05:00Jill, yet another very helpful post. As I work on ...Jill, yet another very helpful post. As I work on my new WIP (which doesn't have something to add as of today), I wonder, where all the little 'pretties' do come from? The publishers? The editors? If not from the writers?<br /><br />It is so tempting ...<br /><br />My new WIP will eventually have the possibility of 80 characters - over time. Now I am working on establishing the primaries, secondaries, etc. Who knows how they will decide to change after the stories develop.<br /><br />Thanks again for all your great wisdom! Debby Willetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01490724273739477154noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-38380130475459669462012-10-03T10:02:28.634-05:002012-10-03T10:02:28.634-05:00WOW. I would have been so lost if you didn't e...WOW. I would have been so lost if you didn't explain that one. LOL <br />As an opening line, that is SOO awesome :)Amanda Fischernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-30212597367278725362012-10-03T02:28:40.828-05:002012-10-03T02:28:40.828-05:00I guess that would make it a section break, then, ...I guess that would make it a section break, then, Thank you.<br />I think we should throw an online party every time a Go Teen Writer gets published. That way, we *all* can be informed and get started on our GTW shelves. So encouraged by your reaction. Thank you so darn much!<br />Ooh, I'm feeling super question-y today... Is it a problem in a manuscript, when you have a very intelligent, introspective MC, and your book's in first person, so thus it's chock full of showing/thinking/emotion/memories, but is not *as* filled with dialogue? I mean, there's a good amount, but he just is in his own little world a bunch. Lydia Brugerehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09517914777314328661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-33151133165620413572012-10-02T23:40:47.856-05:002012-10-02T23:40:47.856-05:00thanks! :Dthanks! :DBethany Baldwinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14160544671105522363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-79382492314014829492012-10-02T22:36:24.834-05:002012-10-02T22:36:24.834-05:00Jill, I haven't read any of your books yet, bu...Jill, I haven't read any of your books yet, but each time I read one of your posts, I move "Buy a Jill Williamson book" up higher on my to-do list! So the next time I have a chance to feed my book habit....Anyway, here's the last part of a chapter from my current work in progress:<br /><br />The suspense is thicker than my slice of pie. “What is it, Dad?”<br />He makes lengthy eye contact first with my mom and then with me. “It’s Brant. He’s been taken to the hospital.”<br /><br />Still in the 1st draft stage, but I'm still trying to master the whole cliff-hanger thing :)<br />Anna Schaefferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05377988052946078769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-63282953707941738842012-10-02T21:58:15.839-05:002012-10-02T21:58:15.839-05:00Me too. All right, here's mine: "I sharpe...Me too. All right, here's mine: "I sharpened my pencil and prepared for death once again."<br />See, this is a story about a teenager who writes obituaries. Just don't ask . . . Katiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08117667458636102470noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-39064867303873286542012-10-02T21:56:54.914-05:002012-10-02T21:56:54.914-05:00I like writing short chapters, so the scene breaks...I like writing short chapters, so the scene breaks usually end with the chapter. And I'm a HUGE fan of cliff-hangers at the end of each chapters. Not overboard. But a fan. ;)<br /><br />A chapter ending:<br />“Welcome to a slave’s life, Micah.” The flap swings closed behind Barak. “You’re going to get hurt.”<br />A bit funny out of context of course, but I had fun. :]CG @ Paper Furyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14954615708675952085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-25330656232247206132012-10-02T20:35:24.685-05:002012-10-02T20:35:24.685-05:00Good job, H! That's a great cliffhanger ending...Good job, H! That's a great cliffhanger ending. I'd turn the page for sure!Jill Williamsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11943570354349667196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-67511934431246384392012-10-02T20:34:34.182-05:002012-10-02T20:34:34.182-05:00Could be either. Depends on how much time has pass...Could be either. Depends on how much time has passed, I'd say. Or maybe consider where he wakes up. If he wakes in the same place, do the scene break. But if he wakes in a new location, I'd do a section break.<br /><br />Gah! You guys! If only I had time to read all your stories! Someday I will have a shelf of GTW books. Good job, Lydia! I'm totally intrigued by that.Jill Williamsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11943570354349667196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-56113578960200516812012-10-02T20:32:15.770-05:002012-10-02T20:32:15.770-05:00*shivers*
Nice one, Kate! You guys have got this c...*shivers*<br />Nice one, Kate! You guys have got this chapter ending thing down!Jill Williamsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11943570354349667196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-75753999219704624802012-10-02T20:31:33.333-05:002012-10-02T20:31:33.333-05:00Interesting, Meghan! You guys are so talented!Interesting, Meghan! You guys are so talented!Jill Williamsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11943570354349667196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-69272877165690534682012-10-02T20:30:40.829-05:002012-10-02T20:30:40.829-05:00LOL! Nice, Tiffanie. And, ouch! for poor Ben. :-)LOL! Nice, Tiffanie. And, ouch! for poor Ben. :-)Jill Williamsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11943570354349667196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-53699374424463641132012-10-02T20:29:45.114-05:002012-10-02T20:29:45.114-05:00Good, Dakota! I hope someone comes for him. *turns...Good, Dakota! I hope someone comes for him. *turns page to find out*<br />Jill Williamsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11943570354349667196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-67313375055972321512012-10-02T20:28:49.580-05:002012-10-02T20:28:49.580-05:00Good job, Leorah! (Pretty name, btw.)
Your story s...Good job, Leorah! (Pretty name, btw.)<br />Your story sounds creepy fun too. :-)Jill Williamsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11943570354349667196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-83447515675638318412012-10-02T20:27:02.518-05:002012-10-02T20:27:02.518-05:00Nice, Marisa! Yours is scary too, especially since...Nice, Marisa! Yours is scary too, especially since I don't know what's going on or where he's falling from.Jill Williamsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11943570354349667196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-45851659318804778922012-10-02T20:26:11.948-05:002012-10-02T20:26:11.948-05:00Aww... being professional is no fun, huh?
I'm...Aww... being professional is no fun, huh? <br />I'm glad this was helpful, Clare. :-) Jill Williamsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11943570354349667196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-12285911913908432732012-10-02T20:25:22.861-05:002012-10-02T20:25:22.861-05:00I like it too, Bethany! Scary!I like it too, Bethany! Scary!Jill Williamsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11943570354349667196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-78554188060935651542012-10-02T20:20:56.480-05:002012-10-02T20:20:56.480-05:00Nice chapter ending, Meaghan! :-)
Nice chapter ending, Meaghan! :-)<br />Jill Williamsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11943570354349667196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-60390697578439056882012-10-02T20:20:04.181-05:002012-10-02T20:20:04.181-05:00Nice, Amanda! Great cliffhanger.
:-)Nice, Amanda! Great cliffhanger.<br />:-)Jill Williamsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11943570354349667196noreply@blogger.com