Every writer has that scene—the one that feels too big, too emotional, or too vulnerable to tackle. It’s the moment in the story you’ve been building toward, the one that will break your characters and maybe even you in the process. This week, I faced one of those scenes, and let me tell you, it was terrifying.
I stared at the blank page for longer than I’d like to admit. The fear of not doing the moment justice kept my fingers hovering over the keyboard. But eventually, I realized that the only way through it was to write, no matter how messy the first attempt might be.
Why These Scenes Matter
The scenes that scare us as writers are often the ones that resonate most with readers. They’re raw, honest, and unflinching. They push the characters—and us—out of our comfort zones. And while they might be the hardest to write, they’re also the most rewarding.
For me, the scene this week was a confrontation between two characters I love, one that had been building for chapters. It was messy and emotional, with no easy resolution. Writing it felt like peeling back layers of my own emotions, which is probably why it took so much out of me. But once it was on the page, I knew it was worth the struggle.
How to Tackle Tough Scenes
Here’s what helped me face the fear and get the words down:
Break It Into Pieces: Instead of trying to write the entire scene in one go, I focused on small chunks—just a single interaction or a few lines of dialogue.
Write Without Judgment: The first draft doesn’t have to be perfect. I reminded myself that I could edit later and let the words flow, however clumsy they felt.
Tap Into Real Emotions: I drew on personal experiences and memories to bring authenticity to the scene. It was uncomfortable but powerful.
Take Breaks: When it got too overwhelming, I stepped away for a while. A quick walk or a cup of tea helped me reset.
The Reward of Vulnerability
When I finished the scene, I felt a mix of exhaustion and relief. It wasn’t perfect, but it was real. And that’s the beauty of writing—you don’t have to get it right on the first try. The important thing is to show up and be honest with the story.
What Scenes Do You Fear?
For writers, what’s a scene or moment you’ve struggled to write? And for readers, what’s a story moment that felt so raw and real, it stuck with you long after you closed the book?
The scenes we fear most as creators are often the ones that leave the deepest impact. They challenge us, push us, and ultimately remind us why we write in the first place.
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