2. Oh, dear, the drama! …even ‘that Scene’ has a plot
Scenes are the building blocks of stories.
Holly Lisle explains them as ‘the smallest bit of fiction that contains the essential elements of a story’[1] . Roy Peter Clark[2] calls them ‘the capsule of time and space created by the writer and entered by the reader’.
There are different ways to look at scenes.
For example, James Scott Bell calls the elements that structure a scene ‘chords’, two ‘major chords’ (action and reaction) and two ‘minor chords’ (setup and deepening).
Jack M. Bickham says that the pattern of scenes is goal – conflict – failure/disaster.
Roy Peter Clark reminds us that scenes don’t have to be chronological—there are flashbacks, parallel narratives, shifting perspectives.
Holly Lisle claims that ‘change’ defines a scene: ‘When is a scene a scene? When something changes. What defines the completion of a scene? The moment of change.’
According to Sandra Scofield every scene has an event, every scene has a function in the narrative, every scene has a structure and every scene has a pulse.
Dwight Swain posits the existence of two different kinds of scenes that he calls ‘scenes’ and ‘sequels’ and he ascribes them different patterns or structures. His ‘scenes’ consist of a goal – a conflict – and a disaster, while his ‘sequels’ are made up of a reaction – a dilemma – a decision.
Example:
Sketch out the structure of two sex scenes dealing with adultery using Dwight Swain’s method.
You can even apply the structure of classical drama to sex scenes!
- exposition
- rising action
- climax
- falling action
- dénouement or catastrophe
- seduction
- foreplay and rising arousal
- intercourse
- orgasm
- post-climactic bliss or aftermath
Last but not least:
‘Sex is hardly ever just about sex.’ — Shirley MacLane
Remember the rest of your story, and the structure of your plot! Often, a sex scene has two (or even more) stories to tell.
Sex can be a means to an end—to gain power, to exert revenge, to fulfil wishes, to create magic. Sex can mean everything to one participant, and nothing to the other. Sex can heal. Sex can wound.
And: not every sex scene is about love. Not every love scene contains sex.
TIP!
- Even a sex scene has a plot. Use that knowledge to your advantage and structure your sex scene!
- Remember the rest of your story: What is your sex scene all about-besides sex?
Reading recommendations:
- Dramatic Structure
- Writing the Perfect Scene
- ‘The Scene-Creation Workshop’ by Holly Lisle
- ‘Plot & Structure’ by James Scott Bell
- ‘Scene and Structure’ by Jack M. Bickham
- ‘The Scene Book’ by Sandra Scofield
[1] ‘Scene-Creation Workshop — Writing Scenes that Move Your Story Forward’ by Holly Lisle
[2] Roy Peter Clark, ‘Writing Tools’, see also online at the Poynter website, here.