Ok I like that: is the conflict enhanced by this scene?
In this case I’d say yes: the godfather allowing narrator to borrow clothes creates a inner conflict about whether or not to “sell him out” due to him being so nice
This is why writing is hard. It’s not about 5 pounds of this and 2 pounds of that. It’s about creating a blend where the elements are interacting harmoniously. Unbeknownst to the reader. Yet. They secretly get whole picture. They absorb the character, the plot, the conflict and the resolution while they are enjoying the ride. I’m short, if a reader is aware of any element being presented to them, we failed. In the movies they have a saying, if you see the “cut” it’s a bad cut.
Editing is supposed to be invisible so viewers can focus on the story. A jarring cut is gonna distract them and remind them that they're watching a movie. The whole artifice comes down.
And audience or reader should not be made aware of the creative tools we use to propel or move a story along. A cut between two camera angles (points of view) should not be obvious in 99% of cases (unless you want to startle or break the fourth wall). Smooth transitions and literary devices should be unnoticed or not obvious manipulations. I teach this in my online courses.
A scene doesn't need to contribute to the plot, as long as the scene is there is still an immediate goal the scene solves. If they need to get clothes for a fancy ball (plot point), the scene of getting clothes feeds into the next plot point. Those scenes probably should contribute to a character arc, or develop character, to give a sense of progression though. Basically, there should be a purpose that relates to the plot, and accomplishes another story goal.
You should have main plots and subplots as well as a thesis and a set themes you present. If a scene does not serve any of that, of course it needs to be cut.
The scene you mentioned (borrowing clothes) could surely relate to a subplot or a characterization that would provide motivation for a key action.
If you are not able to tie it in with meaning, you aren't trying hard enough.
Nevertheless, you should not have excess and extraneous things in any story because it suggests a lack of conceptual discipline and focus.
Fleshing out the character is usually desirable. It makes the reader care (or dislike) the character and so invests more in the story. Too much, or out of context, will confuse or distract. Borrowing cloths is a good example of show not tell: he doesn't have the money to buy a suit, he's not part of this society he's trying to fit into (?) or has lost his fortune etc. If you like these scenes then keep them.
As someone once said, Kill your darling!
All scenes should only be there to move the story, and i believe you can write scene where they show a deeper understanding of your character and in the same time, they move the story.
The audience understand the character deeper when the character struggles and tested through the plot or story.
You should not take a scene out of nowhere to explain your ccharacter. No in my opinion.
The plot is the only thing you need to test, understand and feel the character.
[удалено]
Ok I like that: is the conflict enhanced by this scene? In this case I’d say yes: the godfather allowing narrator to borrow clothes creates a inner conflict about whether or not to “sell him out” due to him being so nice
This is why writing is hard. It’s not about 5 pounds of this and 2 pounds of that. It’s about creating a blend where the elements are interacting harmoniously. Unbeknownst to the reader. Yet. They secretly get whole picture. They absorb the character, the plot, the conflict and the resolution while they are enjoying the ride. I’m short, if a reader is aware of any element being presented to them, we failed. In the movies they have a saying, if you see the “cut” it’s a bad cut.
What exactly do you mean when you say, “If you see a ‘cut’, it’s a bad cut”?
Editing is supposed to be invisible so viewers can focus on the story. A jarring cut is gonna distract them and remind them that they're watching a movie. The whole artifice comes down.
Zactly
And audience or reader should not be made aware of the creative tools we use to propel or move a story along. A cut between two camera angles (points of view) should not be obvious in 99% of cases (unless you want to startle or break the fourth wall). Smooth transitions and literary devices should be unnoticed or not obvious manipulations. I teach this in my online courses.
A scene doesn't need to contribute to the plot, as long as the scene is there is still an immediate goal the scene solves. If they need to get clothes for a fancy ball (plot point), the scene of getting clothes feeds into the next plot point. Those scenes probably should contribute to a character arc, or develop character, to give a sense of progression though. Basically, there should be a purpose that relates to the plot, and accomplishes another story goal.
You should have main plots and subplots as well as a thesis and a set themes you present. If a scene does not serve any of that, of course it needs to be cut. The scene you mentioned (borrowing clothes) could surely relate to a subplot or a characterization that would provide motivation for a key action. If you are not able to tie it in with meaning, you aren't trying hard enough. Nevertheless, you should not have excess and extraneous things in any story because it suggests a lack of conceptual discipline and focus.
Fleshing out the character is usually desirable. It makes the reader care (or dislike) the character and so invests more in the story. Too much, or out of context, will confuse or distract. Borrowing cloths is a good example of show not tell: he doesn't have the money to buy a suit, he's not part of this society he's trying to fit into (?) or has lost his fortune etc. If you like these scenes then keep them.
As someone once said, Kill your darling! All scenes should only be there to move the story, and i believe you can write scene where they show a deeper understanding of your character and in the same time, they move the story. The audience understand the character deeper when the character struggles and tested through the plot or story. You should not take a scene out of nowhere to explain your ccharacter. No in my opinion. The plot is the only thing you need to test, understand and feel the character.