Fiction Writing - What the heck is beats?

Dear potential author,

Beats in a novel are extremely important.  It is the backbone or blue print of novels.  Without it, you will end up with a lot of rewriting and tons of loose ends.  Remember to use beats in conjunction with the hero’s journey.

What are beats?

For me, beats are a matter of asking questions.  Always ask yourself the following:

What is happening?

Where is it happening?

When is it happening?

Why is it happening?

How is it happening?

What is the worst thing that could happen?

What is the best thing that could happen?

What is my character feeling, seeing or experiencing?

Why do we need to use beats?

It is vital that you know where you are and what is happening.  Beats will help you smooth out the kinks in your novel.  Convey vital information.

For e.g.  Lucy goes to town.

Does Lucy stay on a farm?

Why is Lucy going to town?

How is Lucy getting to town?

Rewrite

Thump!  Lucy kicks the flat tire.  “Piece of junk!”  She yelled at the 1950 pickup her dad left in his will along with a heap of debt.  “Now what?”  She wondered aloud as she looked at the other flat tyre on the back.  “I am going to be late for my meeting!”  She kicks the front tyre again before starting to walk the ten miles to town.

How will beats help me?

Beat will assist you in improving the flow in your novel.  Nobody likes to re-read something to figure out what is happening and why is it happening.

For e.g.

“Amy?”

“Here!”

“Kitchen.”

“Tea.”

Rewrite:

“Amy?”  John called to his wife just as he entered the house.

“I am in the kitchen, honey.”  She replied.  “Would you like a cup of tea?”

When do we use beats?

Beats are used to bring the character and the reader closer.  When we need to set a scene or visually improve the readers experience.

For e.g.  It is a huge room with lots of sunlight and modern furniture.

Adding beats:

Late afternoon sunlight poured in through large seamless windows.  Bathing white leather and steel sofas in warm light.  Sam looked at the huge floor space.  Could fit a small apartment in here.  She thought as she put her briefcase down.

When I added the beats, I took the reader on a journey.  I not only improved the writing, but also made the reader wonder.

Where do we use beats?

Beats are used in:

Dialogue – to improve the pacing

Monologue – to improve the visual experience of the reader

Actions – to move the plot along.

As you can see beats are a great way to add flavour and colour to your written painting.

Until we meet again,

Just Write