{"id":9882,"date":"2025-10-27T15:19:15","date_gmt":"2025-10-27T15:19:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/?p=9882"},"modified":"2025-10-27T15:23:08","modified_gmt":"2025-10-27T15:23:08","slug":"what-can-i-do-when-i-get-stuck-on-a-scene","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/what-can-i-do-when-i-get-stuck-on-a-scene\/","title":{"rendered":"What can I do when I get stuck on a scene?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-4da2106611fd72d659746ad3d7b3d57f\" style=\"color:#212638;background-color:#dbeeff\"><blockquote><p><em>\u201cI\u2019m stuck on a scene. I know what needs to happen, but every time I try to write it, it stalls. What can I do to get unstuck?\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Every time I get one of these questions, I\u2019m shocked at how relatable they all are! This is such a common thing that affects all writers. The moment your fingers hover over the keys and\u2026 nothing. It\u2019s frustrating, and it can completely sap any creative momentum you had going!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The benefit of this being a common issue is that you can know for certain that you\u2019re not alone. You\u2019ve joined the ranks of hundreds of thousands of writers before you who have all had this shared experience. And the even better news is, we\u2019ve all found our way through it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So here are some tips for getting your groove back if you\u2019re feeling stuck on a scene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">First: diagnose the block<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Before you try to force yourself to write, figure out what\u2019s actually wrong. Are you blocked because of something personal, or are you blocked because of something in the scene you\u2019re trying to write? Different problems need different solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Personal blocks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Perfectionism paralysis: fixating on the \u201cperfect\u201d scene so hard you don\u2019t write; fear of imperfection can get you stuck before you even start.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Analysis paralysis: overthinking plot\/motivations\/research until you avoid drafting; second-guessing yourself is a surefire way to stop yourself from writing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fear of starting: the blank page intimidates; infinite possibilities stall commitment and trigger procrastination.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re stuck because of general writer&#8217;s block, we have some <a href=\"https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/how-do-you-deal-with-sudden-writers-block\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">resources to help<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Scene blocks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The stakes are mushy: if nothing truly matters, there won\u2019t be any <a href=\"https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/how-do-you-build-and-maintain-tension\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">tension<\/a>. Revisit your stakes. Readers must feel the cost.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The goal is vague: if your character doesn\u2019t have a reason for their actions, you\u2019ll struggle to write. Make sure you know your characters\u2019 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/how-to-create-a-compelling-character-in-minutes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">goals<\/a> and how the scene feeds into them.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The scene starts too early: you might have too much filler, so you struggle to get to the meat of the scene. If that\u2019s the case, just freewrite, but consider cutting out the fluff you started with so the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/start-your-story-late\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">scene starts at a more active moment<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The conflict is external-only (or internal-only): pure action or pure reflection can stall your writing progress. Make sure your character has both <a href=\"https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/writing-your-way-into-conflict\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">internal and external conflicts<\/a> that drive them.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You don\u2019t know your character well enough: if their motives feel foggy, the scene will too. Make sure you have a grounded sense of <a href=\"https:\/\/novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/a-foolproof-character-cheat-sheet-with-downloadable-template\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">who all your characters are<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Quick exercises to get unstuck<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When it comes to writing exercises, their job is to stop you getting stuck and to generate ideas. So if you\u2019re struggling with a scene, and don\u2019t know how to proceed, hare are some writing games and exercises you can do to jumpstart your creativity. They might not end up being the actual scene, but they should help get some ideas flowing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1) Clarify the scene\u2019s job<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Write one sentence: \u201cThis scene exists to _____.\u201d Fill it with a verb and outcome (e.g., \u201cforce Maya to lie to her sister to save her job\u201d). If you can\u2019t, the scene might not be worth writing to begin with. Clarity of purpose can stop you from getting stuck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2) Set a micro-stakes timer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Try a quick writing game. Give your protagonist a 10-minute deadline inside the scene (even if it\u2019s unlikely to make it into the finished manuscript), like a call they must answer, a train they must catch, a boss walking toward their desk. Time pressure creates urgency, and creating artificial stakes can get you writing again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3) Switch the power dynamic<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If your character currently has the upper hand in the scene, flip it. Make them need something from someone who won\u2019t give it. If they\u2019re the underdog in the scene, switch the dynamic to give them more power. Power shifts create conflict, and conflict creates ideas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4) Dialogue-only draft<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Strip the scene to lines of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/tips-for-writing-dialogue-reading-2\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">dialogue<\/a>. No description, no tags. Let characters argue, bargain, reveal, or conceal. You\u2019ll surface the conflict fast if all your characters are doing is talking to each other. Then layer back action and setting when you&#8217;re ready to dive back into writing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5) Write the ending first<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Decide how the scene changes the story. A revelation? A broken promise? A new secret? Write the conclusion first, then reverse-engineer the steps you need to get there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6) Change one variable<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Keep the same goal, but shift a single element, like the location, the time of day, the weather, who shows up, or what your character is wearing. Small changes can unlock new ideas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Structure-level solutions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Beat it out (lightly)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Outline 5\u20137 story beats. Each beat should move toward the goal, stakes, or conflict. If a beat doesn\u2019t move toward any of those, cut it out, or combine it with another. Then write beat-by-beat rather than the whole scene in one go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Use \u201cdoorways\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Give the scene an entry and exit:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Entry: What interrupts the status quo?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Exit: What can\u2019t go back to how it was?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>These doorways bookend a scene. If you know how it starts, and how it must end, you just need to take the steps to get from one door to the other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Escalate, don\u2019t repeat<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Sometimes, the biggest problem a scene will have that results in getting stuck is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/how-do-you-maintain-flow-and-pacing-in-fiction-writing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">pacing<\/a>. You need to raise the stakes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A lot of getting stuck ends up because of repetition, especially if you know your character really well. If they make a choice, then it\u2019s likely they\u2019d make the same choice again. So, if your character attempts the same tactic twice, the second try must cost more or risk more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">If the scene still won\u2019t move\u2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cut to the decision<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Skip the lead-up. Start on the line where your character chooses something (yes, no, leave, confess). Many scenes only become interesting at the moment of climax, so as long as you know how it will end, you can write that and move on, fleshing it out in revision if required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Brackets and move on<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Leave a placeholder: [X happens; Jamie ends up owing Rafi a favour]. Keep drafting. When it comes to revision, you\u2019ll return to your placeholder with fresh context and better instincts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Merge or delete<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Two lukewarm scenes can become one strong scene if you combine the essential beats. Keep the essentials, but cut the fluff. If the story still works without the scene, consider cutting it entirely. Leaner is often stronger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>Getting stuck isn\u2019t a flaw! It\u2019s your brain giving you feedback. Scenes can stall when goals blur, the stakes don&#8217;t matter, or the conflict just isn\u2019t interesting enough. Adjust those elements, and you\u2019ll find it easier to get unstuck. You don\u2019t have to write the perfect the moment in your first draft, you just have to give it momentum.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u201cI\u2019m stuck on a scene. I know what needs to happen, but every time I try to write it, it stalls. What can I do to get unstuck?\u201d Every time I get one of these questions, I\u2019m shocked at how relatable they all are! This is such a common thing that affects all writers. The [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":9884,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[108,107,24],"tags":[67,58,28],"class_list":["post-9882","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ask-novlr","category-editing","category-writing-tips","tag-character-development","tag-plotting","tag-writing-tips","et-has-post-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What can I do when I get stuck on a scene? | The Novlr Reading Room<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Stuck on a scene? 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We look at why you might get stuck and share some tips and exercises that can get you writing again.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/what-can-i-do-when-i-get-stuck-on-a-scene\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"The Novlr Reading Room\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/novlr\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-10-27T15:19:15+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-10-27T15:23:08+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Frame-178-3.webp\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1920\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1260\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Pamela Koehne-Drube\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@novlrtweets\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@novlrtweets\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Pamela Koehne-Drube\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Estimated reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.novlr.org\\\/the-reading-room\\\/what-can-i-do-when-i-get-stuck-on-a-scene\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.novlr.org\\\/the-reading-room\\\/what-can-i-do-when-i-get-stuck-on-a-scene\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Pamela Koehne-Drube\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.novlr.org\\\/the-reading-room\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/726ed0ac79316fa69373ac67027dd121\"},\"headline\":\"What can I do when I get stuck on a scene?\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-10-27T15:19:15+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-10-27T15:23:08+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.novlr.org\\\/the-reading-room\\\/what-can-i-do-when-i-get-stuck-on-a-scene\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1187,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.novlr.org\\\/the-reading-room\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.novlr.org\\\/the-reading-room\\\/what-can-i-do-when-i-get-stuck-on-a-scene\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.novlr.org\\\/the-reading-room\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/Frame-178-3.webp\",\"keywords\":[\"character development\",\"plotting\",\"writing tips\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Ask Novlr\",\"Editing\",\"Writing\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.novlr.org\\\/the-reading-room\\\/what-can-i-do-when-i-get-stuck-on-a-scene\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.novlr.org\\\/the-reading-room\\\/what-can-i-do-when-i-get-stuck-on-a-scene\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.novlr.org\\\/the-reading-room\\\/what-can-i-do-when-i-get-stuck-on-a-scene\\\/\",\"name\":\"What can I do when I get stuck on a scene? | The Novlr Reading Room\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.novlr.org\\\/the-reading-room\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.novlr.org\\\/the-reading-room\\\/what-can-i-do-when-i-get-stuck-on-a-scene\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.novlr.org\\\/the-reading-room\\\/what-can-i-do-when-i-get-stuck-on-a-scene\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.novlr.org\\\/the-reading-room\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/Frame-178-3.webp\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-10-27T15:19:15+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-10-27T15:23:08+00:00\",\"description\":\"Stuck on a scene? 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