WRITING TIP: START YOUR SCENE AT THE END

And that is why you should start your scene at the end.

Okay, maybe not exactly.

I understand all about building tension and dramatic structure. But, as a reader, I want to get to the good parts as soon as possible.

That's why, as a writer, I try to anticipate what my readers want most from a scene - whether it be action or a question answered - and I give it to them right at the top.

Starting with a big moment and then having to build upwards from there forces my scene to be more interesting (I hope). Plus, it gets rid of filler. (Like Elmore Leonard, I also try to "leave out the parts that readers skip.")

See what I mean with the current series of scenes at: http://alinaadamsmedia.com/live/, the novel that I am writing live in real time so that readers can find out everything about the process (and chime in their thoughts as I go along; after all, what's the fun of criticizing a book after it's been published and it's too late for me to do anything about it?).

More Writing Tips:

Live Sex Acts: Writer Exhibitionism

Writing Tip: Cut the Hysterics

Teaching Creative Writing to Teens

How To Write a Better Book

Putting My Writing Where My Mouth Is

How To Murder a Writing Career

I Hate Writing Description