How to Determine If You Should Delete a Scene in Your Story

This Blog Post is about How to Determine If You Should Delete a Scene in Your Story.

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Writing a story is an art form that requires careful thought, creativity, and often, a great deal of editing. One of the most challenging aspects of editing is deciding whether to delete a scene from your story. It’s not uncommon for writers to grow attached to their scenes, even when they may not serve the story as effectively as they should. However, for the sake of pacing, coherence, and overall impact, it’s sometimes necessary to let go of certain parts of your narrative.

In this blog post, we'll explore the key factors to consider when determining if a scene should be deleted from your story. We'll discuss the importance of each scene's role in the plot, character development, pacing, tone, and overall cohesiveness. By the end, you should have a clearer idea of how to approach the difficult decision of cutting a scene and how doing so can ultimately strengthen your story.

1. Assess the Scene’s Contribution to the Plot

The most crucial factor to consider when deciding whether to delete a scene is its contribution to the plot. Every scene in your story should serve a purpose in advancing the narrative. If a scene doesn’t move the plot forward or provide important information, it might be worth reconsidering its inclusion.

 

Ask Yourself:

• Does this scene introduce or resolve a key conflict?
• Does it provide essential backstory or exposition?
• Does it advance the storyline or develop a subplot?

If the answer to these questions is “no,” then the scene may be unnecessary. It’s important to remember that a well-paced story often requires streamlining. While the scene might be beautifully written or interesting on its own, if it doesn’t serve the plot, it could be holding your story back.

 

2. Evaluate Character Development

Scenes are often kept because they showcase character development. However, it’s important to ensure that this development is not only present but also meaningful and necessary for the story.

 

Ask Yourself:

• Does this scene reveal something new or important about a character?
• Does it show growth, change, or a significant moment in the character’s arc?
• Is this development conveyed elsewhere in the story?

If the scene doesn't contribute to a character’s arc or if the development it provides can be conveyed more efficiently in another scene, then it might be better to cut it. Repetition or redundancy in character development can slow down your story, making it less engaging for readers.

 

3. Consider the Pacing

Pacing is a critical element in storytelling, and every scene should contribute to maintaining an appropriate pace. Scenes that slow the story down without adding necessary information or tension can disrupt the narrative flow.

 

Ask Yourself:

• Does this scene slow down the story unnecessarily?
• Is there a better place to insert this information or action?
• Does the scene drag or feel out of place in the context of the surrounding scenes?

If a scene disrupts the pacing, it might be better to delete it or move its content to another part of the story. Even if the scene contains important information, it’s worth considering if that information can be delivered more effectively elsewhere.

 

4. Analyze the Tone and Mood

The tone and mood of your story should remain consistent to maintain the reader's immersion. Scenes that deviate drastically from the established tone can be jarring and take the reader out of the experience.

 

Ask Yourself:

• Does this scene match the overall tone and mood of the story?
• Does it feel out of place or inconsistent with the scenes around it?
• Could this tonal shift be justified or necessary for the story?

If a scene feels out of place in terms of tone, it could disrupt the reader's experience. Unless the shift in tone is intentional and serves a larger purpose, it might be better to cut or revise the scene.

 

5. Check for Redundancy

Redundancy can weaken your story by making it feel repetitive and less engaging. Repeating information, themes, or character development across multiple scenes can dilute their impact.

 

Ask Yourself:

• Is this information, development, or theme already presented in another scene?
• Does this scene repeat something that the reader already knows?
• Can this scene be combined with another to avoid repetition?

If a scene feels redundant, consider deleting it or merging its content with another scene. Streamlining your story in this way can enhance its overall impact and keep readers engaged.

 

6. Determine the Emotional Impact

Every scene should evoke some emotional response from the reader. If a scene doesn’t elicit any emotions, it might not be serving its purpose effectively.

 

Ask Yourself:

• Does this scene create the emotional response I intended?
• Does it add to the overall emotional journey of the story?
• Is the emotional impact necessary for the story’s development?

If a scene lacks emotional impact or doesn’t contribute to the overall emotional journey of the story, it might be worth cutting. A well-crafted story is one that consistently engages the reader’s emotions, and every scene should play a part in that engagement.

7. Examine the Scene’s Unique Contribution

Sometimes a scene might not fit neatly into the categories above but still feels essential to the story. In such cases, it’s important to consider what unique contribution the scene makes.

 

Ask Yourself:

• Does this scene offer a unique perspective or insight?
• Is there something in this scene that can’t be found anywhere else in the story?
• Does it provide variety or contrast that enhances the story?

If a scene offers something unique that no other scene does, it might be worth keeping, even if it doesn’t directly advance the plot or develop the character. However, this unique contribution should be significant enough to justify its inclusion.

 

8. Consider Reader Engagement

A scene’s ability to engage readers is a strong indicator of its necessity. If readers are likely to skim or skip a scene, it’s probably not serving the story as well as it should.

 

Ask Yourself:

• Would readers be engaged or bored by this scene?
• Is this scene likely to be skipped over?
• Does the scene keep the reader’s interest or break the momentum?

If a scene isn’t engaging, it might be better to delete it or find a way to make it more compelling. Reader engagement is crucial to the success of your story, and every scene should contribute to keeping the reader invested.

 

9. Reflect on the Scene’s Origin

Writers often include scenes for reasons that may not be directly related to the story itself, such as personal attachment or the desire to include a specific idea or image.

Ask Yourself:

• Why did I write this scene in the first place?
• Is my attachment to this scene based on its value to the story or personal preference?
• Would the story suffer without this scene?

If a scene exists more because of your attachment to it than because of its necessity to the story, it might be time to consider cutting it. While it’s difficult to let go of scenes you’ve grown fond of, doing so can often lead to a stronger, more cohesive story.

 

10. Seek Feedback

Sometimes it’s hard to be objective about your own work, which is why seeking feedback from others can be invaluable. Beta readers, critique partners, or editors can provide fresh perspectives on whether a scene should stay or go.

 

Ask Your Feedback Providers:

• Does this scene feel necessary to the overall story?
• Does it contribute to the plot, character development, pacing, or tone?
• How do you feel about this scene? Does it engage you?

Feedback can offer insights you might not have considered and can help you make more informed decisions about whether to keep or delete a scene.

 

11. Trust Your Instincts

Ultimately, as the author, you know your story best. While all the factors above are important, trusting your instincts is equally crucial. If something about a scene doesn’t feel right or if you’ve had doubts about it, that’s worth paying attention to.

 

Ask Yourself:

• Do I have lingering doubts about this scene?
• Does it feel right within the context of the story?
• Would the story be stronger without it?

Your instincts can guide you to make the best decisions for your story. If something feels off, it’s often a sign that the scene needs to be revised or cut.

 

The Power of Letting Go

Deleting a scene from your story can be a daunting task, but it’s a vital part of the editing process. Every scene should serve a clear purpose, whether it’s advancing the plot, developing characters, maintaining pacing, or contributing to the tone and mood of the story. By carefully evaluating each scene against the criteria outlined in this post, you can make more informed decisions about what to keep and what to cut.

Remember, the goal is not to diminish your story but to strengthen it. Cutting unnecessary scenes can create a more focused, engaging, and powerful narrative that resonates with readers. Trust the process, seek feedback, and don’t be afraid to let go of scenes that aren’t serving your story. In the end, your story will be better for it, and your readers will thank you.

This Blog Post is about How to Determine If You Should Delete a Scene in Your Story.