Welcome to the third in my series of mini tips videos and blogs all about side characters. There are just five days left until the launch of 8 Steps to Side Characters. Today’s mini tip is all about the concept of “scene power” and how understanding it can help you stop your side characters from taking over your story.
Scene power is the concept of who (or what character) holds the most power in the scene. Think of it like a dinner party. When you walk into the dining room, we as humans know instinctively who holds the power. Usually, that’s the host. They’re the protagonist. Yes, dinner guests can have their moments, telling jokes and stories, providing anecdotes, advice, helping to serve pudding, even asking thought-provoking questions that makes the host reflect. But ultimately, it is the host that decides when to serve the main course, whether they serve ice cream or pie for pudding. The protagonist must always drive the action in every scene even when side characters are contributing. If they don’t, your scene power is wrong.
In 8 Steps to Side Characters, I re-wrote a scene modifying the scene power. As a result it’s a super clunky to read—but that’s the point. I then show you how to fix a scene when the scene power is off. It’s a fantastic exercise and example to demonstrate why scene power is so important and how to stop your side characters taking over.
If you want to learn more about side characters and the concept of scene power as well as how to use it effectively in your stories, then pre-order your copy of 8 Steps to Side Characters today. There’s only 6 days to go until launch…Pre-order today and if you submit your proof, you can get a sneak peek of the first 25 pages of the book before anyone else. AND you’ll also be in with a chance to win a bundle of paperback books and goodies.
Pre-order the textbook here:
https://books2read.com/sidecharacters
Pre-order the workbook here:
Want to order signed copies of Side Characters, then use this link:
https://sachablack.co.uk/store
Submit your pre-order proof here to be in with a chance of winning a bundle of goodies and to get a sneak peek look at the first 25 pages: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe1IYhFhlu9vBSwell2J2tSwtIdxXMEYp-MVF-cvzixeNu22Q/viewform?usp=sf_link
Leave a Reply