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What needs to stay or go

Choosing is the hard part.

David Gane
David Gane

Sometimes while writing, the words won’t come out. No matter what you try, you won’t be able to get the story on the page.

It’s not a block. The scene or beat won’t form.

When that happens, I take a step back and go for a walk.

The break helps bring clarity.

Occasionally, I’ll realize I’m missing a story beat or don’t have enough information about the scene.

But often, it’s because the scene shouldn’t exist. It’s a story problem that doesn’t help the story, and the scene works by removing it.

Either way, both bring clarity to the scene or the whole story.

Often the work isn’t about the writing but understanding what’s missing or what needs to go.

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David Gane

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Co-writer of the Shepherd and Wolfe young adult mysteries, the internationally award-winning series, and teacher of storytelling and screenwriting.

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