I've just completed a new chapter - finally - and it's all about a couple of characters going through doors and down stairs - all part of the story but how do you do this kind of business gracefully?

Can't help feeling there are simply too many doors - and steps!

Sarah

Can you imagine it's like a series of short tv scenes and just cut from one to the next?
Susiex

Can't help feeling there are simply too many doors - and steps

Your gut instinct might be correct, are the number of doors and steps important, or can they be reduced?

Cheers, Grinder

I would say, only include the bits of the choreography of your people which are significant in their relationship and the contrast between their characters. Who lets who go through the door first? Who sprints up the stairs and who starts to puff and which of them is embarrassed/impatient/jocular about the difference? Who comments on the view, and in what terms? When the door handle won't turn, who makes it work, and is it because they're stronger, or cleverer, and what's the symbolism of that whole thing?

And shed everything else that's doesn't do more than say that they went from a to b. Which as the others suggest probably means you don't need as much as you think you do. Readers fill in the gaps, and there's a lot to be said for phrases like, 'When they reached the car park...'

Emma

Lots to muse on there - thank you all

It's all a bit Alice in Wonderland really - who walks through the mirror first - what to do when the key is too small etc - breaking it up might be the answer? It's early days with this rewrite.

Surface normality but nothing is as it seems?

If you've got time to look, Grinder, it's my new chapter in fantasy - would appreciate your thoughts.

Sarah

If you've got time to look, Grinder, it's my new chapter in fantasy - would appreciate your thoughts.

Sarah, your work is always on my required reading list. Although, I may not get around to it for a bit…

Cheers, Grinder