Can you write a scene in which a character just thinks a lot?
"Container scenes" plus TONS of writing links and resources!
*For writing links and resources, scroll down.*
Container Scenes
I was meeting with a coaching client the other day, encouraging her to make a list of the specific scenes she needs to write for her novel, and out of my mouth came a most likely made-up term: “container scene.”
My client’s work-in-progress contains lots of internal reflection by the main character. The protagonist struggles with difficult emotions, confronts past traumas, makes realizations about herself and her future. Which is all good stuff. But it’s all internal, and novels are made up of scenes. And scenes have a setting. In a scene, a character might be going through something internal, but they are having these thoughts and emotions in a specific place, while doing a specific thing.
But, you might say, I really need for this next chapter to be where my character thinks about her past and makes a realization about it. That’s fine! But you can’t probably shouldn’t write a whole chapter that takes place inside your character’s head. What you need is a container scene. Put the character in a place, give her something to do (or someone to talk to), and then let her have these thoughts while the action or conversation is happening. The scene is a “container” for the thoughts she’s having.
Even better, let the setting, action, and/or conversation trigger her thoughts, emotions, and realizations. The things she notices in her surroundings can mirror her emotions, bring up memories, or emphasize what’s on her mind. For example, maybe she sees a squashed cigarette butt on the ground, and it makes her think of her grandfather who died of emphysema. Or maybe she sees an autumn leaf clinging to a branch, and she thinks about how clingy her best friend is.
Give your reader a scene they can picture in their minds. Once we know where the character is and what they’re doing, we can dip in and out of their head (or go into backstory). For more on this, see
’s super helpful recent post on interiority.I’m currently working on an adult novel, and my first chapter is a container scene. It starts with a mom (who was named Emma but is now named Stefanie) out walking, pushing her baby in a stroller. As she walks through her suburban neighborhood, she thinks about her marriage, and, specifically, about what happened the previous night. By the end of the chapter, she decides to tell her husband she wants to get separated. The last sentence of the chapter is “this was the beginning of the end.”
Of course, the important part of the scene is her realization and not that she’s taking a stroller walk (although that allows me to show the setting and her social class). But I could have had her driving to the pediatrician, or doing laundry, or shopping at Trader Joe’s with her kids in tow. The stroller walk is simply the container that gives her something to do (and something for the readers to picture) while she has her thoughts and works her way to a realization.
I made up the term “container scene.” Is there another word for this?
Perfect Your Process
This coming weekend, I'm speaking at an online summit that’s all about improving your writing process, and I’m pretty excited about it. It’s hosted by Daniel David Wallace, and his conferences are always high quality.
Perfect Your Process is four days (March 23-26) of in-depth presentations and interviews to help you draft and revise like the writer you've always imagined being. Sessions on mindset, revision, description, research, and much more.
You can watch the whole event for free if you attend each session live. Or, upgrade with my special affiliate link to get bonuses and extra sessions plus ongoing replay access so you can watch whenever you want.
My talk about How to Finish Your Novel will be held Sunday, March 24 at 10am Eastern. See you there!
Writing News & Resources:
For All Writers:
Leading London-based literary agency Peters Fraser and Dunlop is launching a mentorship program for aspiring writers of adult fiction. Application due March 31.
The amazing
has done it again! Check out her latest post on interiority. If you read one thing this week to improve your writing craft, let it be this.Interested in the ins and outs of book contracts? Check out the free video Book Contracts 101, from The Authors Guild.
The Great Beta Reader Match Up from Bianca Marais open for registration from now until March 31.
Creating Tension, Conflict, and Stakes in a Story Webinar on April 11 with agent CeCe Lyra, plus a live Q&A session on April 15th in which attendees can ask CeCe questions.
If you’re a U.S. resident, you can join the Penguin Random House Reader’s Lounge and be part of a research community of book lovers. Read books, fill out surveys, and influence publishing decisions like cover designs, titles, topics, and more. Plus, win free books!
Black Fox Literary Magazine’s free submission window is open. Or make a donation to receive feedback and/or an expedited response. They also have a fairy tale remix contest with a deadline of March 31.
The Writers Center website is a GREAT resource for finding grants, fellowships, residencies & retreats, publishers (who publish non-agented authors), and literary journal opportunities.
Short on time? The NYC Midnight 100-word Microfiction Challenge starts April 19.
Ready Chapter 1 is a community-powered platform connecting book publishers with undiscovered writers. Find peer critiques and more.
Check out all the many upcoming online craft workshops from Savvy Authors!
Writing Workshops also offers lots of online classes in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, picture books, and the business of writing.
Need a template for a nonfiction book proposal? Here’s one from Neon Literary!
The Women’s Fiction Writers Association has a TON of free writing workshops, critique groups, and webinars, plus upcoming mentorship opportunities.
Check out the meet-up group called Shut Up & Write. There are in-person chapters all over the country, as well online events.
The Writer’s Atelier has a free online writing community with virtual events.
Cheshire Novel Prize hosts a FREE group on their private app called Writers Space where you can talk about writing, ask for BETA readers, and connect with other writers.
Ready to submit a story? Check out this list of 40 Free Writing Contests! And of course, check out NewPages for submission calls from literary magazines and journals.
Check out my list of writing and publishing resources — my very favorite books, websites, and podcasts on writing, publishing, and the creative life.
For KidLit Writers:
Thank you to the
for the following items:6-week rhyming picture book course with Catherine Emmett. Starts April 17th.
6-week advanced picture book course with Clare Helen Welsh. Starts May 20th.
Literary Rambles has information on kidlit agents and agent interviews.
From Bitsy Kemper’s blog: over 100 publishers accepting unsolicited picture book manuscripts. (Updated June 2023)
Check out this incredible list of upcoming events for KidLit writers!
Have you joined SCBWI (The Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators)? They have events, conferences, and it’s a great way to find critique partners and beta readers, for everything from picture books to young adult novels.
For Querying Writers:
Tomorrow (March 19) The Witches of Pitches host Mark Tavani, former Penguin Random House editor turned literary agent, for a conversation about mind-melding with agents and editors.
Twitter pitch contests have mostly gone away or moved to other places, but the Insecure Writer’s Support Group Twitter Pitch contest #IWSGPit is happening on “X” on March 27.
Here’s a list of small publishers, most of which do not require agents.
Here’s a query letter template from agent Samantha Wekstein and lots of querying advice from agent Eric Smith.
Every Friday, Operation Awesome offers one free query critique through their #QueryFriday contest.
I occasionally choose a subscriber for a FREE submission package critique. Send me your query letter and the first two pages of your manuscript, and, if you’re the winner of the month, I will send you in-depth feedback on both. Interested in receiving a critique? Fill out the form here.
Writing Conferences & Events:
March 23-26, The Perfect Your Process Online Summit with great talks from writers and writing instructors (like me!)
Live in the mid-Atlantic region and looking for a writing retreat get-away?
2024 Writing Retreats at ZigBone Farm (Just one hour from DC/Baltimore area in Maryland's Catoctin Mountains). MD residents can apply for a grant to help cover costs!
April 7-12: Spring Creative Writing with award-winning writer Diana Friedman. For all writers who want help getting started, shaping and refining existing work, as well as time to write and bond with other writers.
July 28 - Aug 2: Summer Novel Writing with award-winning author Tammy Greenwood. For writers at all stages of the journey.
The Writer’s Retreat at Good Contrivance Farm. Open year-round, the only requirement for this peaceful retreat north of Baltimore is that you use the time to work on your writing. Spaces normally book about two months in advance.
Thinking about going to a conference or applying for a residency? Check out the free searchable database on Poets & Writers.
The Writing Day Workshop “How to Get Published” Conferences will held both online and in person this year. Plus, sign up for pitch sessions with agents for $29 a piece. Check out the upcoming conferences:
Virginia Writing Workshop (Richmond): March 22, 2024 (in person)
Chesapeake Writing Workshop: March 23, 2024 (in person in Arlington, VA)
Buffalo Writing Workshop: April 5, 2024 (in person)
Minnesota Writing Workshop (St. Paul): April 6, 2024 (in person)
Toronto Writing Workshop: April 6, 2024 (in person)
Florida Writing Workshops (Tampa and Orlando): April 12-13, 2024 (in person)
Writers Digest offers loads of virtual conferences on a variety of publishing and writing craft topics.
Apply for the NYC Publishing Workshop, held April 4-7, 2024, and check out the other writing workshops, retreats, and events from Writing Workshops.
Washington Writers Conference, being held in Bethesda, MD May 3-4, 2024.
Gaithersburg Book Festival (in the DC area): May 18, 2024.
For more writing conferences, check out this list or the free searchable database on Poets & Writers.
Very nice Eva. I've not tried a long interior monologue. My MC's thoughts never occupy more than a sentence or two. Not like me in real life at all 😂🤔😭