The Purpose Every Scene Should Have
Picture your story as a car, and every scene as a key cog in the engine. If one cog slips, the car wonât go anywhere. Every scene must serve one of these purposes:
- Advance the Plot â Something significant happens that pushes the narrative forward.
- Develop Characters â Readers gain new insights into your charactersâ motivations, relationships, or flaws.
- Build the World or Theme â Subtly weave in elements of your world or reinforce thematic aspects without info-dumping.
If your scene doesnât check at least one of these boxes, it might be time to reevaluate its role in your story. No fillers allowed!
Types of Scenes
Different scenes serve different narrative needs. Knowing what type youâre writing can sharpen your focus. Here are two prominent types:
Proactive Scenes
Proactive scenes involve actionâyour character is pursuing a goal, whether itâs defeating a villain, retrieving a magical artifact, or confessing their love during a rainstorm. These scenes brim with tension and movement.
Reactive Scenes
These are quieter but equally important. Reactive scenes are where characters process what just happened, recalibrate their plans, or handle emotional fallout. These reflection moments give depth and contrast to high-energy sequences.
Essential Elements Every Scene Needs
Think of a scene as its own mini-story. Hereâs the anatomy of a compelling one:
- Inciting Incident â Something happens that sparks a reaction (e.g., an unexpected text, a knock at the door).
- Objective/Goal â Your character wants something specific in this scene.
- Conflict â There should always be an obstacle or tension preventing the character from easily achieving their goal.
- Turning Point â Something shifts. The stakes heighten, and the character must adapt.
- Climax â The moment of decision or action that defines the scene.
- Resolution â The aftermath of the climax, leading directly into the next scene.
Without these building blocks, your scene risks being... well, boring. And no one wants that.
Scene Roadmaps
These scene structure frameworks are here to help you craft powerful, meaningful scenes that drive your story forward. Think of them as tools in your writer's toolbox, each designed to ensure your scenes have purpose, conflict, and character growth. Letâs break them down together, so you can find the one that feels right for your creative process. Â
1. Sarra Cannonâs Scene Roadmap Â
Focus: Weaving deep character motivation into every scene. Â
Key Features: Â
- Character-Centered: Start by looking at your point-of-view (POV) character. What do they want? Whatâs standing in their way?
- Personal Stakes: Connect emotionallyâwhat does your character stand to lose, and why does it matter?
- Narrative Impact: Make every scene count by tying it to your character's personal journey and the overarching plot.
Best For: If youâre looking to align your scenes with your characterâs growth and your storyâs purpose, this method is for you. Â
2. Goal, Motivation, Conflict (GMC) Â
Focus: Keeping it simple and clear. Â
Key Features: Â
- Goal: Whatâs driving your character in this moment? Â
- Motivation: Why do they want it so badly? Â
- Conflict: Whatâs getting in their way? Â
Best For: Need a quick way to check that your scene has a purpose? This is your go-to framework. Â
3. Scene Essentials Blueprint Â
Focus: Building immersive, detailed scenes. Â
Key Features: Â
- Hook and Purpose: Grab your readersâ attention and show them why this scene matters. Â
- Conflict and Climax: Let your characters clash and push toward a satisfying resolution. Â
- Sensory Detail: Bring your world to life by engaging all five senses. Â
Best For: When you want your scenes to feel vivid, layered, and purposeful. Â
4. Susanne Lakin Scene Guide Â
Focus: Creating a grounded sense of time and place. Â
Key Features: Â
- Temporal Elements: Set the stage with details like time of day, weather, and how much time has passed. Â
- Plot Advancement: Move your story forward with new twists or tensions. Â
- World-Building: Add depth with specific, vivid setting details. Â
Best For: Writers who want their readers to feel completely immersed in the world of their story. Â
5. Three Story Method Â
Focus: Cause-and-effect storytelling that keeps readers hooked. Â
Key Features: Â
- Conflict: Whatâs the challenge your character is facing here? Â
- Choice: How do they respond? Â
- Consequence: What happens next to keep the story moving? Â
Best For: When you want to maintain tight momentum and keep readers turning the pages. Â
6. W Plot Method Â
Focus: Taking readers on an emotional rollercoaster. Â
Key Features: Â
- Trigger Events and Turning Points: Create highs and lows that keep the tension alive. Â
- Resolution: Wrap up the immediate conflict while building anticipation for whatâs to come. Â
Best For: Structuring scenes with dynamic pacing and emotional depth. Â
How to Use Conflict in a Scene
Conflict is the lifeblood of storytelling, and it doesnât always have to involve explosions or screaming matches. Hereâs how to infuse tension in your scenes:
- Internal Conflict: Torn emotions, self-doubt, or moral dilemmasâthis type of conflict adds layers to your characters.
- Interpersonal Conflict: A disagreement or tension between two (or more) characters. Not everything needs to be a shouting duel; subtle friction often hits harder.
- External Conflict: A time crunch, a natural disaster, or someone actively working against your character.
Each type of conflict fuels engagement, so mix and match to create variety throughout your story.
Tips for Keeping a Scene Engaging
An engaging scene isnât just about what happensâitâs how you deliver it. Hereâs how to keep those pages turning:
- Start Late, End Early: Jump right into the actionâskip the long buildup and dive into where the story gets exciting. Wrap it up right after the climax to leave your audience wanting more. Imagine this: a spy bursts into a tech lab mid-break-in and escapes just as alarms start blaring. Short, sharp, and unforgettable.
- Set Clear Stakes: Your audience should know exactly whatâs at risk and what your character stands to gain or lose. Whatâs driving them? For example, picture a journalist on a mission to retrieve sensitive documents from an embassy, all while being closely watched. Every second matters, and so does their goal.
- Layer Conflict: Stories come alive when thereâs more than one obstacle in the way. Add layers of depth with both internal struggles and external challenges. Think of a gambler betting against a mob boss, battling their own temptation while trying to avoid being exposed.
- Create Strong Character Dynamics: Bring your characters to life by pairing contrasting personalities. Their differences will naturally create tension and make the scene pop. Picture a hot-headed rookie cop working alongside a by-the-book sergeant to defuse a bombâchaos, drama, and growth all in one.
- Write Sharp, Impactful Dialogue: Every line should matter. Use your dialogue to reveal character, hint at hidden motives, or drive the plot forward. For instance, an estranged sibling saying, âNice to see you still remember where home is,â speaks volumes without having to explain everything.
- Leverage Setting for Mood: The right environment can amplify the emotion of a scene. Keep it active and engaging. Imagine a shootout in a crowded subway stationâconstant movement and high stakes. Or use the setting to reflect emotion, like rain-soaked streets mirroring a private detectiveâs growing despair. The world your characters inhabit should feel alive.
- Build Tension with Visual Storytelling: Sometimes, whatâs unsaid is just as powerful. Use objects or subtle clues to tell a deeper story. A gun placed on a dinner table speaks volumes without anyone needing to say a word. Or try foreshadowing: a fragile vase on a wobbly table hints at an argument about to spiral out of control.
- Pace the Scene Dynamically: Keep your scenes engaging by switching gears. Alternate between fast, high-energy moments and slower, reflective beats. Add unexpected interruptions to keep readers guessingâlike two lovers in a heated argument suddenly pausing when the power cuts out. Itâs all about keeping things fresh. Learn more about pacing.
- Subtext Over Exposition: Let actions speak louder than words. Show emotions without spelling them out. For example, a father staring silently at his daughterâs trophies says more than a heartfelt monologue ever could. Or let polite dialogue carry a double meaning: a king telling a rival lord, âYour strength grows daily,â might sound like a compliment but could also be a warning.
- Shift Power Dynamics: A scene becomes instantly more engaging when the control shifts. Start with one character holding all the cards, then flip the script. For instance, an interrogator loses their edge when the suspect reveals they know deeply personal secrets about them. Power in stories should be fluid and surprising.
- Break Expectations: Keep your audience guessing. Avoid predictable outcomes and take the road less traveled. Instead of the hero defeating the villain in a duel, what if they joined forces to fight a greater threat? Twists like these stick with your audience long after the scene ends.
- Add a Ticking Clock: A time limit can supercharge tension. Imagine a fugitive with only five minutes to board a train before captureâitâs a race against time, and your audience will feel every second of it.
- Use Movement and Blocking: Where characters are positioned can say so much about their relationships. For instance, former friends starting on opposite sides of a room, then slowly moving closer as they rebuild trust, tells a story without a single word.
- End Scenes with a Question: Leave your audience eager for whatâs next. Close with a moment that sparks curiosity, like a lawyer discovering a cryptic note in a file and whispering, âWho knew this?â Questions create momentum, pulling readers or viewers into the next chapter.
Mistakes to Avoid When Writing a Scene
Writing a scene isnât without its pitfalls. Here are the big no-nos:
- Too Much Exposition: Avoid dumping backstory or world building in one go. Readers should sense theyâre learning naturally as the story unfolds.
- Characters With No Goals: A passive character equals a passive reader. Everyone in your scene needs an agendaâeven if that agenda is unspoken.
- Static Scenes: Every scene should have some kind of movement, change, or progression. If nothing changes, cut or rethink it.
- Predictable Outcomes: If your scene plays out exactly as expected, where's the tension? Throw in a curveball, misstep, or ironic twist.
