If a scene feels awkward, slow, or just not-quite-right…
(1) Try taking a piece of action and plopping it in the middle of a drama scene, or plop a piece of drama in the middle of an action scene. (Give your character something they need to overcome in order to get back to their goal.)
(2) Try taking out supporting characters who might be helping the POV character achieve their goal. (Make the POV character responsible for the goals and safety of all the characters involved.)
(3) Try upping the stakes just as the POV character realizes they’re going to fail. (Make the POV character give more effort then they originally wanted to or thought they could; make them sacrifice more to reach their goal.)
(4) Try rewriting the scene in a completely different, more suspenseful setting. (Give the characters a time limit, distractions, and/or the chance of being overheard/stopped/etc.)
Helpful things to consider along the way…
- What goal does your POV character want to achieve in this scene? Who or what is stopping them from reaching this goal, and why?
- Is your POV character developing, learning, and making decisive choices during this scene?
- Are all your character’s emotions progressing naturally, and influencing their actions and decisions?
- How does this scene impact the rest of the story? If you remove it from the story, what changes?
And if all else fails: Ask someone you trust to give you detailed feedback!