Writing page-turning fiction depends on your ability to create rock-solid, believable scenes. Scenes act as dynamic structures that thrust both your characters and readers forward through conflict, baiting them with goals that may--or may not--be obtained. Writing good scenes makes the difference between a tale that crackles with energy and momentum and a story that falls flat.In Novelist's Essential Guide to Crafting Scenes, Raymond Obstfeld leads you through the creative process, examining all the elements that go into making scenes successful, cohesive and compelling. Tackling topics like finding a scene's "hot spot," identifying its dominating purpose and avoiding a cliched ending. Obstfeld provides essential reading for novice and novelist alike. Using examples from films, short stories and best-selling fiction, he documents why and how scenes work. You'll learn: