3 reasons to write like a... Director

Writers and directors have this in common--they both use scenes. However, although most writers write their scenes in the order they appear in the book, directors rarely film the scenes in the order they appear on screen.

Why not?

• Sometimes it's because of the actor's schedules or health or commitments
  
• Perhaps they only can shoot scenes in a certain location at a certain time

Sounds complicated. And it probably is. So why would a writer want to write like a director? I actually came up with some reasons:

(1) It improves our ability to write in scenes - we are often told it's better to write in scenes but many writers lament that it's hard, "I don't know where one scene ends and another starts in my novel." Well, when you write in scenes (and scenes out of order) you are forced to have a starting point and an ending point. You will focus more on the goal of the scene--the reasons for that scene.  

(2) The setting stays fresh in our minds - Let's say we write our scenes in order of location. Well, we have in our minds eye the location. We know where things are placed and if items are moved or changed in a previous scene, we're more likely to remember. 

(3) It keeps your writing fresh - sometimes when we're writing and we get stuck, it's because we don't know where we're going with that part of the story, so move the story to a different time or location. Write all the scenes of a certain character (especially one you're jazzed about writing) or all the scenes from a certain location. It may take more planning but you may be surprised with the end product.

Have you ever done this? Do you think it will work for you? Why or why not?

Pic source: here