Bricks are to buildings what scenes are to fictional stories. But what are the characteristics of a scene? The first answer to this question could be it contains snippets of dialogue and actions called beats. A beat can also consist of a limited number of narrative summaries. Since narrative summaries are used sparingly in modern fiction writing, it is worth pointing out that beats can contain little or no summary. In this article, we are considering a narrative summary element of a beat.
If a mason lays several blocks of stones the wrong way while erecting a building, such a structure might not be as strong as it should be. Therefore, the erected structure could collapse. If a writer constructs a beat that lacks dialogue, action, or narrative summary, the writer runs the risk of not meeting readers' expectations. At a minimum, the people who yearn for your tale might not be entertained as much by the narrative. Writers can help their stories stand up under scrutiny by writing clear sequences of events. Scenes and their smaller components (beats) are necessary for good fiction to make characters more interesting and enjoyable.
A scene in a movie and one in a fiction story have many similarities. In a film, actors interact in a particular place like a kitchen, living room, bedroom, supermarket, or office. Often, they work together or against one another until they resolve or fail to resolve a specific issue - also called conflict. Every scene must highlight a struggle between protagonist and antagonist. A lead character with an opponent making things difficult at every turn makes for an entertaining and tension-filled read. The end of a movie or story scene marks actors or characters achieving or not achieving their goals.
Fiction writers use dialogues, actions, and narrative summaries to achieve balance and control pace in their writing. When these fiction-world creators use scene elements well, they are showing - not telling - readers what is taking place.
Here is a beat taken from a scene in The Right to Belong, one of the books featured on this site.
When Pete returned home from Nigel’s apartment, he slammed the front door behind him. “What’s the matter?” Faith asked. “I’ve never seen you like this.”
“I don’t know how to contact my father,” he said between his teeth. He snatched his cap off his head and threw it in the corner of the [couch]. “I’ve it up to here.” He pointed to his chin and stomped his feet while he spoke.
Let us identify the three elements of the beat.
1. Dialogue
“What’s the matter?”
“I’ve never seen you like this.”
“I don’t know how to contact my
father,” he said. “I’ve it up to here.”
2. Action
Faith asked
He said between his teeth.
He grabbed his cap off his head and
threw it is in the corner of the [couch].
He pointed to his chin and stomped
his feet.
3. Narrative Summary
When Pete returned home from Nigel’s apartment, he slammed the front door behind
him.
Revisit your stories. Check if your scenes have Dialogues, Actions, and Narrative Summaries. If not, start fixing your prose.
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