21.28: Narrative Transitions
About this episode
The hosts discuss various techniques for transitioning between scenes in writing, comparing them to techniques in music, film, and game design.
How do you move readers from one scene to the next without losing momentum? Our hosts dig into different types of transitions—from scene breaks and interruptions to brief “through scenes” that bridge time and space. Along the way, we compare prose techniques to music, film editing, and game design, exploring how transitions can carry emotion, maintain tension, and signal intention. We also discuss why transitions are often easier to solve during revision than during drafting. Sometimes all you need is a placeholder and permission to keep writing. Homework: Take two scenes from a work in progress and connect them three different ways: with a through scene, a scene break, and an interruption. Compare the results and note how each version changes pacing, tension, and reader experience. WAITLIST for our Final WXR Cruise! Our final WXR cruise is sold out, but you can join our waitlist here! Credits: Your hosts for this episode were Mary Robinette Kowal, Howard Tayler, DongWon Song, and Erin Roberts. It was produced by Emma Reynolds, recorded by Marshall Carr, Jr., and mastered by Alex Jackson. Join Our Writing Community! Writing Retreats Newsletter Patreon Instagram Threads Bluesky…
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More episodes of Writing Excuses
- 21.29: How to Make a Scene
- 21.27: The Expository Throttle
- 21.26: Setting the Pace
- 21.25: Follow the Bouncing Ball
- 21.24: Deconstructing the Seven Point Plot Structure
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