✨ Rule #2: Love Every Page, Not Every Word
- haleyn4
- Aug 12
- 2 min read
One of the biggest traps writers fall into is obsessing over every single word. While attention to language is important, it’s the scene—the experience of the moment—that your reader will remember.
In screenwriting, dialogue and action aren’t just there to sound pretty. They drive the story forward. When writing your novel with a cinematic mindset, you must treat each page as a scene in a movie. Every line should earn its place by serving the scene’s purpose—whether that’s revealing character, building tension, or moving the plot.
Why You Should Focus on the Page, Not the Word
Words serve the moment – The right word matters, but the moment matters more. Don’t get stuck polishing sentences that may not even survive the next edit.
Pace over perfection – Readers are more engaged by a gripping scene than flawless prose. A tense conversation, a sudden revelation, or a meaningful glance will stay with them longer than a poetic but irrelevant sentence.
Story cohesion – By zooming out to see the page as part of the bigger picture, you ensure that every scene contributes to the emotional and narrative journey.
How to Apply This in Your Writing
Ask the Scene’s Purpose – Before revising, determine the scene’s job. Is it to build suspense, reveal a truth, or deepen a relationship?
Cut Ruthlessly – If a line doesn’t move the scene forward, it goes. Even if it’s beautifully written.
Write Like a Screenwriter – Imagine the actors, the set, the blocking. What does the audience see and hear?
Prioritize Energy – Keep the momentum alive. Long, self-indulgent passages drain the energy and lose the reader’s attention.
The Payoff
By focusing on the page instead of the word, you free yourself from perfectionism and create a story that moves, breathes, and engages. Your readers won’t be counting your adjectives—they’ll be living your story.
📌 Pro Tip: After finishing a draft, print a scene and read it aloud like a script. If it doesn’t feel alive, it’s time to rewrite with the scene in mind.
Comments