Welcome back to The Pencil’s Edge! Today, we’re kicking off our in-depth exploration of Fictionary’s 38 Story Elements, beginning with Characters per Scene. Understanding how and why characters appear in your scenes is crucial to crafting a story that feels cohesive, engaging, and unforgettable.
Why Are Characters per Scene Important?
Characters are the heart and soul of any story. The love readers develop for your characters is what keeps them turning pages. The Characters per Scene element offers insight into how effectively you’re utilizing your characters. It helps you ensure that every character’s presence serves a purpose and contributes meaningfully to the plot.
Think of it like a stage play—the characters “on stage” in each scene are the ones actively participating in the story. Characters who are merely mentioned add background flavor but don’t directly influence the scene’s events.
Using the Characters per Scene Story Element
In Fictionary’s StoryCoach, you can find Characters per Scene under the Character tab on the Evaluate page. By clicking View Character List, you’ll see a pop-up window that displays all the characters linked to each scene.
How It Works:
Imported Character List: StoryCoach scans your manuscript upon import and automatically links characters to the scenes they appear in.
Characters in a Scene: These are the “on stage” characters—those who have an active role in the scene.
Characters Mentioned: These are characters who are referenced in dialogue or thought but don’t actively participate in the scene.
You can adjust the list by moving characters between “in scene” and “mentioned.” This ensures an accurate representation of your cast in each scene.
Pro Tip: Characters moved to “Characters Mentioned” won’t show up in key StoryCoach insights like Scenes per Character, Characters per Scene, or Story Map. They also can’t be assigned as a POV character.
How to Evaluate Character Usage
As you read through each scene of the manuscript, keep the cast of characters updated. You’ll find this process helps you:
Track character involvement: See how often characters appear and ensure key players are getting enough “page time.”
Identify underused or overused characters: Determine if some characters need more development or if others can be cut or combined.
Assess character relevance: Evaluate if each character’s presence is justified and contributes to moving the plot forward.
Determining Appropriate Character Descriptions:
After updating the character lists, use the Scenes per Character insight to see how many scenes each character appears in. If a character only appears in a few scenes but has a lengthy introduction, you might need to trim their description.
Major characters should receive detailed introductions to signal their importance.
Minor characters should be introduced succinctly, providing just enough detail to keep readers engaged without overwhelming them.
Characters per Scene Insights and How to Use Them
Fictionary’s visualization tools offer powerful insights into your character structure. Here’s how you can leverage them:
Track Character Entry and Exit:
Use the Story Arc view to see when key characters enter and exit your story. This helps ensure major characters appear at the right times and minor characters don’t linger unnecessarily.
Monitor Character Presence in Major Events:
Check if the protagonist is present in critical scenes like the inciting incident, plot points, and climax. If they’re missing, it might be time to revise.
Evaluate Scene Crowding:
Are there too many characters in one scene? Crowded scenes can confuse readers. Consider whether each character is essential. If not, combine roles or remove unnecessary characters.
Track Protagonist and Antagonist Interactions:
Increasing the number of scenes where your protagonist and antagonist appear together can heighten tension and drive conflict.
Avoid Confusing Names:
Review your Cast of Characters for similar names that might confuse readers. For example, having characters named “Molly” and “Maggie” in the same scene could be tricky for readers to follow.
When to Offer Feedback on Character Usage
As you refine your manuscript, consider giving feedback in these situations:
Character Introductions Feel Off:
Major characters need strong, memorable introductions. If a character’s first appearance lacks impact, it might be time to revise.
Too Many Characters in a Scene:
If readers struggle to keep track of who’s who, reduce the number of characters per scene.
Characters Appear or Disappear Without Explanation:
Ensure continuity by tracking character movements between scenes.
Protagonist Missing from Key Scenes:
Your protagonist should be present for major plot events. If they’re absent, consider revising to keep readers emotionally invested.
Protagonist and Antagonist Need More Shared Scenes:
Shared scenes between the protagonist and antagonist can heighten tension and keep readers on edge.
Confusing Character Names:
Simplify or change similar names to avoid reader confusion.
Final Thoughts
Mastering Characters per Scene is about more than just tracking who’s present. It’s about ensuring every character serves a purpose, drives the plot forward, and engages readers. By thoughtfully managing your cast, you’ll create a story that feels vibrant, cohesive, and unforgettable.
Stay tuned for our next post, where we’ll explore the next Fictionary Story Element: Point of View. Until then, happy writing!
The Pencil-Driven Life 