How to Fix a Boring Scene

Writers, have a scene you're worried is too boring for the page? Are you stuck on that scene? Does the pacing seem slow and unexciting? Are you struggling to make it work? Struggling to see how readers will be interested in what's happening on the page? Is writer's block killing you? Well, are you ready to kill writer's block? Because here are some tips to help you beat that pesky scene that doesn't seem to have that oomph you're striving for.

There are many ways to spice up a scene. (And no, I don't mean adding a spicy scene.) Here are some ways you can fix that boring scene:

1) What are the stakes? Stakes = conflict. And conflict/tension/urgency is IMPORTANT. What is your character, or characters, facing to lose? An object, a loved one, their life, their home...What are they set to lose if they don't achieve their goal? Adding stakes to your scene can reverse the boredom.

2) Can you add an argument to the scene? Is there something your characters could disagree on? Dialogue can be a great way to include conflict! Start a fight!

3) Is there something you could delete from the scene? Is there a particular part of your scene/chapter that is giving you trouble? Could you delete it if it isn't important or impactful? It might be best to step away and consider a different approach.

4) Is now a good time to reveal something you've been keeping from readers? Throw that plot twist at them, even if it's only a twist for a subplot!

5) Is it time to kill off a character? Killing off a character is anything but boring. However, if this is something you're stuck on, reading a scene where an author successfully killed off a character is a great way to get those creative juices flowing! Just don't plagiarize.

6) Sometimes adding dialogue to reflect your characters is a great way to remove any boring elements from a scene. Banter or an argument can create tension and conflict.

7) Can you take something away from your main character? This doesn't have to mean losing someone to death. Let them lose that object they were worried about.

8) Let your character(s) fail! Failure is human, and readers love failure because it serves as a reminder that characters (though on paper) are also human.

9) Can you put a time limit on how long your character(s) has to accomplish their goal(s)? For example, how long does the princess have to steal the dagger from the knight's room before he wakes up? Create a time constraint to build tension and urgency. This will put readers on the edge of their seat!

10) Is it time for someone to confess their feelings? Does someone have bottled up hatred for your protagonist/main character? Someone else? Does someone need to confess their romantic feelings toward a character? Romantic tension can be one of the most fun tensions to create. Does that person feel the same way about the person who professed their feelings? Does the confessor love them while the very person they love hates them instead? Do they love each other? Does one love he/she/they more than the other? Do they hate each other?

Have you used any of these techniques to create a powerful scene?