Elevate Your Boring Scenes to Keep Readers Hooked

Every writer, regardless of experience or how passionately they began their story, eventually finds themselves staring at a blinking cursor because they’re about to write something that feels…..dull. Perhaps it’s a big ol’ dump of exposition—necessary, but lacking excitement, a vital scene connecting two enticing plot points, or maybe a worldbuilding update that progresses the story but lacks that emotional punch to keep readers drooling for more. These scenes are often crucial to the narrative’s integrity, yet they risk giving the reader a case of DNF. The challenge, as you know, dear writer, lies in transforming the mundane into something magnetic.

So how do you take a scene that feel like literary vegetables—good for the story, but hard to swallow—and amp it up into something poignant and gripping? How do you make the cursor stop blinking at you with humdrum reproach? Let’s explore some creative strategies to transform boring-but-necessary scenes into engaging and memorable moments.

1. Mix-up ye olde perspective

Sometimes the problem isn’t the scene itself—it’s who’s experiencing it. A scene that feels like paint drying from one character’s point of view might be surprisingly exciting from another’s.

•             Why it works: Different characters bring different emotional lenses, biases, and stakes. A bureaucratic meeting might be tedious for the protagonist but thrilling for a side character trying to eavesdrop or sabotage it. Ask yourself who would be the most unusual character for the reader to experience this scene through. Whose perspective would make them anxious, afraid, excited, or surprised?

•             Example: Instead of showing a will reading from the heir’s perspective, switch to the lawyer’s POV—maybe they’re hiding a secret clause or excited/heartbroken by watching the family unravel.

•             Bonus points: This technique can also deepen character development and add layers of subtext.

2. Elevate the prose

Sometimes a scene feels boring simply because it’s written plainly. Take this as a challenge and rise to the occasion. Language is your limitless paintbrush—use it to add texture to a landscape otherwise smooth and devoid of anything gripping.

•             Use sensory details: Most writers default to sight and sound, but what of scent and taste? Scent is the greatest trigger of memory and therefore relatability. Describe the smell of freshly brewed coffee making the cold air seem warmer, the flicker of fluorescent lights putting the character on edge despite the otherwise unassuming location, the itch of a wool suit heightening a character’s awareness from irritation to a detail they would’ve otherwise missed. Boring settings can come to life with the right sensory cues.

•             Play with sentence structure: Vary your rhythm. Use short, punchy sentences to build tension or long, winding ones to evoke introspection.

•             Metaphors and similes: Comparing a dull moment to something unexpected can jolt the reader’s imagination. A slow elevator ride becomes “a coffin descending into the earth.”

3. Consider deleting the scene altogether

Yes, I know it’s your baby, and it feels wrong even considering removing it. It feels severe—but sometimes the best fix is the simple math of subtraction.

Pros:

•             Tightens pacing.

•             Forces you to find creative ways to share the same information.

•             Keeps the reader immersed without lulls in pacing.

Cons:

•             Risk of losing important context or character development.

•             May create plot holes or confusion if not replaced with something else.

•             Tip: If you’re unsure, try removing the scene and reading the story without it. If the narrative still flows, you might not need it at all.

4. Inject conflict or tension

Even the most mundane scenes can be charged with some good ol’ conflict.

•             Internal conflict: A character might be wrestling with a secret, guilt, or temptation while performing a routine task. Consider the stuff that plagues your own thoughts while doing dishes or laundry. Unless you don’t have any of that. Just me? Cool.

•             Interpersonal tension: Add a passive-aggressive comment, a misinterpreted glance, or a simmering rivalry. These are super relatable moments we’ve all experienced. What’s happening under the surface?

•             Environmental pressure: Maybe the scene takes place during a heatwave, a blackout, or while someone’s trying not to sneeze in a quiet room.

Conflict doesn’t have to be explosive—it just needs to create friction that keeps the reader curious.

5. Use humor or whimsy

If tension isn’t the right flavor, try humor. Levity goes a long way. A boring scene can become delightful with a touch of absurdity or wit.

•             Character quirks: Maybe the protagonist narrates the scene with dry sarcasm or gets distracted by bizarre thoughts.

•             Unexpected interruptions: A serious interaction is derailed by a rogue piglet. A heartfelt soliloquy is interrupted by an infant wielding a hotdog like a simitar.

•             Meta-awareness: If your story allows it, let the character acknowledge the scene’s dullness. Think Deadpool, Spaceballs, or Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.

6. Break it up or splice it up

Long, uninterrupted scenes can feel like trudging through mud. Try breaking them into smaller chunks or intercutting with another storyline.

•             Parallel action: While one character is stuck in a boring lecture, another is sneaking through the vents above.

•             Flashbacks or memories: Use the scene as a springboard for a character to recall something vivid or traumatic.

•             Foreshadowing: Drop hints about what’s coming next to keep the reader invested.

This technique creates rhythm and contrast, making the slower scene feel like a necessary breath between action beats.

7. Reframe the scene’s purpose

Ask yourself: What is this scene really doing? If it’s just delivering information, consider alternative methods.

•             Dialogue: Can the exposition be woven into a conversation?

•             Objects or setting: Can a character discover the information through a letter, a discovered photo, or a news broadcast?

•             Action: Can the info be revealed during a chase, a fight, or a romantic moment?

Reframing forces you to think about how the information is delivered, not just what it is.

8. Experiment with Format

Sometimes a scene feels boring simply because it’s too conventional. Shake things up!

•             Present the scene as a letter, email, or text thread.

•             Stream of consciousness: Dive into a character’s unfiltered thoughts.

•             Lists, transcripts, or reports: A scene written as a police report or grocery list can be surprisingly engaging.

These formats can add novelty and reveal character in unexpected ways.

9. Ask: “What’s the Emotional Core?”

Even logistical scenes have emotional stakes. Find them.

•             What does the character want in this moment?

•             What are they afraid of?

•             What’s changing internally, even if nothing changes externally?

If you can tap into the emotional undercurrent, the scene will resonate more deeply—even if it’s just someone waiting for a bus.

Conclusion: Turning the Mundane into Magic

Boring scenes are a rite of passage for every writer. They test your creativity, your patience, and your ability to see the story’s deeper layers. Change your own perspective from “this is boring” to “this is an opportunity.” With the right tools—perspective shifts, elevated prose, injected tension, humor, and format experimentation—you can transform even the most sluggish scenes into compelling narrative moments. And they’re often more rewarding for you because you are aware of the obstacles you overcame to reach that point.

Remember: every scene is an opportunity. Whether it’s a quiet interlude or a chaotic climax, your job is to make the reader feel something. And sometimes, the most powerful emotions come from the quietest places.

So next time you hit a scene that feels like literary porridge, don’t despair. Stir in some spice, change the bowl, or serve it with a twist. Your readers will thank you.

What have been your most helpful methods of overcoming scenes that feel boring in your own writing?