Scenes and Vignettes

Story_Marc

Share your fun!
Joined
Jul 23, 2022
Messages
726
Points
133

These are two different things, had to go way more into detail because of a few who didn't get it. Also showcased a bit more on what I had to say on story scope, so small preview of that.
 

JordanIda

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 9, 2026
Messages
51
Points
63
What is this crap? Is vignette like the new word of the week or something?

Back before the novel died, authors seldom ever wrote their own vignettes. They'd no sooner waste their time with vignettes than write their own press sheets. Editorial assistants distilled vignettes from their books, for use as promo pieces, with cuts to enforce closure and terse openings to set a compact stage. But the authors didn't bother with that. It was a marketing function.

In the alter-reality that is the web novel world, authors write their own vignettes, their own blurbs, their own frontmatter. They design their own covers. Hell. They even write their own reviews and testimonials, using sockpuppets.

The novel is dead, reading is dead, and the whole world's going to hell.
 

Juia_Darkcrest

Neurotic Exorcist
Joined
Jun 9, 2025
Messages
1,039
Points
113
What is this crap? Is vignette like the new word of the week or something?

Back before the novel died, authors seldom ever wrote their own vignettes. They'd no sooner waste their time with vignettes than write their own press sheets. Editorial assistants distilled vignettes from their books, for use as promo pieces, with cuts to enforce closure and terse openings to set a compact stage. But the authors didn't bother with that. It was a marketing function.

In the alter-reality that is the web novel world, authors write their own vignettes, their own blurbs, their own frontmatter. They design their own covers. Hell. They even write their own reviews and testimonials, using sockpuppets.

The novel is dead, reading is dead, and the whole world's going to hell.

Hahaha!!!!

God, tell us how you really feel. I have barely glanced at the forum in weeks and the first time I do, its this golden response.

LMAO

Bravo, you get a cookie! :blob_cookie:
 

TinaMigarlo

Apparently my pronouns are now: "it". Thanks, guys
Joined
Jan 9, 2026
Messages
865
Points
93
What is this crap? Is vignette like the new word of the week or something?

I had to look up the definition of a vignette.
yeah, its a pretty cool sounding word.
I can see where its the cool term of the year or whatnot
In the alter-reality that is the web novel world, authors write their own vignettes, their own blurbs, their own frontmatter. They design their own covers. Hell. They even write their own reviews and testimonials, using sockpuppets.
The novel is dead, reading is dead, and the whole world's going to hell.
I'm stubborn and I insist on beating my head against a wall.
I try to write in such a manner that I feel as much like I'm reading a vintage paperback as I can manage.
My reasoning is that if I liked traditional paperbacks and miss it, other people might feel the same way.

I know its not the best market reasoning.
But I have to enjoy reading it as much as possible, or its problematic to work on it.
I'm just trying to find a way to take anything I enjoy that might find any small audience.
I'm not in love with everything that WNs changed about novels,
but its just the format I have to live with for now.
 

JordanIda

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 9, 2026
Messages
51
Points
63
It's really all in fun. Don't take me seriously.

Though it would be nice to have more than 10 readers. Ah well. Even Charlie Bucket had one last dream.
 

JayMark

It's Not Easy Being Nobody, But Somebody Has To.
Joined
Jul 31, 2024
Messages
1,917
Points
128
What is this crap? Is vignette like the new word of the week or something?

Back before the novel died, authors seldom ever wrote their own vignettes. They'd no sooner waste their time with vignettes than write their own press sheets. Editorial assistants distilled vignettes from their books, for use as promo pieces, with cuts to enforce closure and terse openings to set a compact stage. But the authors didn't bother with that. It was a marketing function.

In the alter-reality that is the web novel world, authors write their own vignettes, their own blurbs, their own frontmatter. They design their own covers. Hell. They even write their own reviews and testimonials, using sockpuppets.

The novel is dead, reading is dead, and the whole world's going to hell.
:blob_teary: I've been too honest to use sock puppets. I need to be less honest.
 

CharlesEBrown

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 23, 2024
Messages
5,063
Points
208
One thing I learned writing gaming material is the importance of vignettes - they don't need a solid beginning, middle or end, they just ARE - makes for great journal entries, cut scenes, and even introduction set-ups or character bios.
 

MagicBunyip

New member
Joined
May 9, 2026
Messages
12
Points
3
I have thoughts on this video.

Concise highly critical ones I don't feel like I can get away with airing.
 
Top