Alright, so this is an interesting question since it can cover a broad spectrum. To me, there is a big difference between chapters and scenes. Chapters can have multiple scenes that take place in them depending on how you right. Scenes are just the location of where the characters are. For instance, with Episode, the different episodes are considered chapters with multiple different scenes in them. This is how I’ve really looked at scenes that I right. I usually place such symbols to indicate a scene change if I move on to another scene. The only time I do not do this though is when I’m writing a fluid scene covering a large area for the character to get through.
What is the difference between scenes and chapters to you? Does it dictate how you write? Why do you feel so adamant about it?
One, it was a task on the staff spreadsheet. Two, why is there a problem with posting this type of topic? It’s in the writing chat section for a reason. Also, it’s a conversation starter even if does seem redundant. That did come off mean even if you weren’t trying to.
By the way, what does this look like to you? Questions about the topic at hand. Don’t come at me like I don’t know what I’m doing because you have no idea why I posted this topic in the first place. It’s part of being a staff member. I mean I’ve posted some weird threads because they were on the task sheet. You didn’t have to say it like that at all.
Dude I’ve been there with the task spreadsheet lol
At first I looked at the thread the same way averis did but then I thought- yes, we know what a scene is, it’s the location of where a certain event in your story takes place and there can be a lot of scenes in a story as the location changes. But like… a chapter can just be one long scene… Or a chapter could be like super short…
What if your entire story took place in only one place and never even changed?
What exactly dictates a chapter to change…
This also puts into the question of- well what the heck do you do in the case of short stories?
I think it’s up to the writer but as someone who considers very strange ideas for stories, thinking about this in depth is pretty interesting.
I think it’s much easier to define a scene than a chapter.
@phnx sorry for snapping. I’m just in a sensitive and cranky mood right now. It’s not because of you though. Do you want me to delete my comment as well?
It’s okay, you’re didn’t do anything stupid. I can see where you were coming from now that I’m not as wound tight. We’re both tired so that’s probably what caused me to snap. You actually helped me calm down. Thank you! I know this might sound weird.
Sorry if it seemed like I was ignoring you. I can see your point very well! those two terms do classify as different subjects.
That is very true! Some people do actually count the scene as a chapter but they usually for short stories I think.
and ig writers could consider scenes differently. Like if you’re defining a scene as a location, then what if the world the character is in is 1 location, and because the story has so many worlds or something, switching between worlds are the different scenes.
That is a really good point. I’ve sometimes used this method on my supernatural story A Mystical Beginning. Since each power school is in it’s own dimension.
You can definitely have more than one scene in a chapter! I think a lot of people forget that! It happens a lot when there’s travel or some sort of transition going on. Often, you’re not just going to go “and then they moved to this place! Next chapter!”
Chapters need to have an internal logic. Like scenes, they need to have a point to them. They need to have a beginning, middle and end. You should never split a new scene into a new chapter just because it’s a new location. It might not work with the new information presented.
For example, I’m thinking about Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
In the very first chapter, you get presented with the point of view of an old caretaker of the Riddle house. At the end of the chapter, we’re back with Harry. The final words of the chapter are “Two hundred miles away, the boy called Harry Potter woke with a start”. Then, the next chapter focusses on Harry’s home life with the Dursleys and introducing him as a character.
The whole point of the first chapter of the book is to set up Voldemort as a character, as well as his intentions. Part of that characterisation involves his link with Harry. If Rowling (TRANS RIGHTS BTW. GOOD BOOKS DO NOT A GOOD PERSON MAKE) had chosen to make Harry wake up in the next chapter, you would lose the fact that he woke up because he saw the event happen through Voldemort’s eyes. You lose the connection between that scene and what happens 200 miles away. You’re less likely to make the connection that Harry’s nightmare was him literally witnessing the death of this old guy.
Also, though, I learnt this one the hard way: ALWAYS start a new chapter if you’re writing from a long-form piece of work from someone new’s point of view. A new chapter helps the reader to reset their mindset and consider a new POV. The reason it works there with Harry is because it’s foreshadowing the fact that they’re more merged than we may initially believe. Plus, it’s just one sentence and it helps us to see that Harry isn’t having a whole new POV here. He’s actually witnessing the same thing as Voldemort. He is in his POV!