Good writers are not content to simply let the scene unfold or convey information. They make each scene an effective tool that serves multiple purposes at once. Here are seven specific techniques that have helped many writers (and myself) create more compelling and memorable stories.

1. Double up the scene's purpose - the "double up" technique The most common beginner's mistake is to give each scene only one purpose: to advance the plot, provide humour, convey information or develop romance. Instead, aim for each scene to do at least two things at once.

For example, in the James Bond films, Bond needs information from his informant, but he doesn't sit down with a cup of coffee - he gets it while seducing a very attractive woman. Later, the conversation with Miss Moneypenny does not take place in a bar over a martini, but in the middle of a wild car chase. In one scene, both the action and the plot information are conveyed. The originator would make this two separate scenes. A professional would combine them into one effective package.

2. Tell the reader the threat in advance - create tension with foreknowledge The best way to create tension is to tell the reader something that makes them fear for the characters.

In Roald Dahl's Fantastic Mr. Fox (and the film version), one page is taken up with Mr. Fox crawling out of his hole at night. It would sound boring - if the reader didn't know that three ruthless farmers (Boggis, Bunce and Bean) are waiting to ambush him, shotguns at the ready. Without the mention of the farmers, the scene would be slow-paced. Once the reader knows of the threat, every step feels explosive. So tell the reader about the "farmers" - give foreshadowing of the conflict you're heading towards.

3. No half measures - "No half measures" is a lesson from Breaking Bad: when a character needs to pass on important advice or a lesson, don't just let them say it outright. Give it a story that makes the message powerful.

In the series, Mike Ehrmantraut tells Walter White the story of his time on the police force: he was repeatedly alerted to a man who was committing domestic violence. On the tenth time, Mike took the man to a deserted spot, stuck a pistol in his mouth and warned him. He thought half an action was enough - but a week later the man killed his wife. Mike ends the story with the words, "I chose half-measures. I should have gone all the way." The message sinks much deeper when there is a concrete, emotional story behind it.

4. Delayed emotions When a character experiences a great tragedy (the death of a loved one, abandonment, disaster), the first reaction is not always to lie on the ground in tears or drunken destruction. Often the real emotional outburst comes much later - and often triggered by a trivial little thing.

An excellent example is in the film Manchester by the Sea: Patrick hears of his father's death, but has no outward reaction. He bottles up his emotions. Eventually he panics when frozen chicken parcels fall out of the freezer onto the floor and he can't get them back in place. The viewer realises it's not the chicken - it's the father. The delayed emotion feels real because many of us have experienced the same thing.

5. Give your characters weird, "funky" reactions Real people don't always react "correctly" to tragedies. Give your characters unusual reactions - it makes them memorable and authentic.

The author recounts his own experience on 9/11 in New York: after the towers fell, he went to the university gym and did a series of bench presses. Why? Maybe because he wanted to feel strong in the midst of powerlessness, maybe it was a refuge or a way to escape the chaos. A character who is indifferent during the Pearl Harbor attack, cheerful after a tsunami or stoic in an earthquake stands out from the crowd. Tragic events reveal who the characters really are.

6. The golden coin technique - keep the reader hooked with prizes The author (here referred to as "da fry", possibly a reference to an older technique) found that readers stopped reading halfway through his book. Solution: sprinkle "gold coins" into the book regularly - small rewards that give the reader a dopamine rush and motivate them to keep going.

Examples of coins include:

  • plot: surprise, twist, powerful object, cliffhanger
  • character enhancement: return of old character, fun new side character, secret revealed

Don't leave big gaps between these prizes. With enough and appropriately timed gold coins, the reader will read the book to the end.

7. Lean away from the ending - "Lean away" When you know the ending of a scene, a chapter or the whole book, convince the reader that this cannot happen.

In a basketball movie in the final game: star player gets injured, team is weaker, coach is blocked. In a singing competition: contestants are ruthless, character gets the flu, father loses his job. The more overwhelming the obstacles seem, the sweeter the victory - if it finally comes. If you don't lean away, the reader will just nod, "Yeah, I expected this." When you surprise the reader against the odds, the ending feels deserved and satisfying.

These techniques are not secrets, but they work. Try them in your own writing - and watch your readers become even more hooked on your story.