How to

write scenes
A concise guide to
scene structure
 How to write scenes:
A concise guide to scene structure
The scene is the fundamental building block of story. Learn about
four core common elements that all great scenes in fiction share,
then read tips for creating effective scene structure, with exam-
ples. Well explore:

1. Writing compelling scene openings

2. Developing scenes
3. How to end a scene

At the end of each section, youll find a handy checklist for applying what youve
learned, plus helpful insights from established authors.

What is a scene? Useful definitions

A sequence of continuous action in that has the dramatic power and
a play, film, opera or book. (Oxford emotional impact of a great piece of
English Dictionary) music. Martha Alderman and Jordan
Rosenfeld, Writing Deep Scenes
Each scene creates consequences
that must be dealt with or built upon Every change of scene requires
in the next scene. And thus, scene new expositions, descriptions,
by scene, you tell a compelling story explanations. Milan Kundera
 Introduction:
4 key elements every scene needs
Authors styles and subject matters vary, Tim urgently? Why this urgency? Where is
but all great scenes in fiction share these Sarah now that Tims waiting for her in the
four qualities: bar? When will they talk and reveal more of
the story?
Purpose
Pick up a novel you know well. Open the Clarity
book to the start of any chapter. Why has Clarity makes a scene readable, guiding
the author chosen to describe this specific the reader along. Great scenes avoid
action or event? If you know what comes illogical leaps and skirt plot holes. If at
before or after, it should be easy to find a the start of the scene, Sarah rolls her car
reason. on a mountain overpass, there must be a
believable explanation for why she steps
Each scene in a novel should relate to the out of a pristine car, unscathed, outside
broader story. A key scene might show a the bar at the end of the scene. Scenes and
character hiding jewellery under a stone their sequels should make sense.
in the woods, the circumstances that led
him to do so, or the rippling effects of his Direction
curious action. Whatever the purpose, no At the end of a scene, we know more
scene is included just because. about characters, their goals or
motivations, as well as the authors
Intrigue fictional world. Whatever your scene
A great scene makes the reader want shows, it should pave the way for future
to know what comes next. You create events. Sometimes authors deliberately
curiosity and a desire to keep turning give readers a breather from relentless
pages when each scene makes the reader tension. Even an uneventful-seeming,
ask one or more of the 5 core questions low-intensity scene should nonetheless
that drive stories: Who, what, why, where contribute to your storys arc.
and when.
Now that weve clarified common features
For example: Who is the shifty stranger in of an effective scene, read on for tips on
the bar? What is it that Sarah wants to tell scene structure and examples.

3 How to write scenes

 How to structure a scene (Part 1):
Snagging attention with your hook
The opening hook of a scene: sentences, rapid-fire, like the excited beating
of Quoyles heart. Petal bears winking
1. Makes the reader curious about coming flirtation immediately creates curiosity
events. about how this encounter will unfold.
2. Anchors the scene in relation to what
precedes or comes after it (it establishes The opening of a good scene catches our
setting, who acts out the scene, and attention; makes us wonder what will
sets the tone for coming events). happen. The start of Proulxs scene sets
the tone for coming events (Petal Bears
Take the scene opening of the second instability and infidelity) on the following
chapter, Love Knot, in E. Annie Proulxs page:
Pulitzer-winning novel The Shipping News.
Proulx describes the protagonist Quoyles Her voice was rapid. She said what
first meeting with Petal Bear, the eventual she always said. You want to marry
mother of his children: me, dont you? Dont you think
you want to marry me? Waited
Then, at a meeting, Petal Bear. Thin, for the wise-crack. As she spoke
moist, hot. Winked at him. Quoyle she changed in some provocative
had the big mans yearning for way, seemed suddenly drenched
small women. He stood next to her in eroticism as a diver rising out
at the refreshment table. Grey eyes of a pool gleams like chrome with
close together, curly hair the color of a sheet of unbroken water for a
oak. The fluorescent light made her fractional moment. (p. 13)?
as pale as candle wax. Her eyelids
gleamed with some dusky unguent. Proulxs scene opening alone contains the
(p. 12) four key elements of a scene described in
this guides introduction:
Proulxs opening word then throws
the reader into the scene immediately. The scenes hook has purpose. We meet
She introduces Petal in short bursts of a character whose arrival has significant

4 How to write scenes

consequences for the protagonist. Quoyle opening introduction, Quoyles desire (and
soon has children to care for (raising the with it, the possibility of blinding love) for
storys stakes) and Petals behaviour Petal is clear. We also glimpse Petals true
prompts Quoyles flight (children in tow) nature, and the effects of her wildness
to his ancestral home in Newfoundland, and selfishness are explored further in the
two major story developments with far- chapter.
reaching consequences.
There is direction. Because Petal jokes
The scene opening offers intrigue. Petals about marriage, Proulx makes us aware
flirtatious behaviour makes us expect of this possibility. Yet because its what
further development between her and she always says, we also know that
Quoyle. Her mocking and direct question Quoyles and Petals seriousness may
about marriage hints at the treatment differ and cause conflict. This complication
Quoyle will get should he fall for her lends uncertainty to the scene, yet we
Proulxs scene gives us valid doubts about nonetheless expect something will develop
how the relationship will progress. between these characters.

Proulxs scene opening has clarity and a

clear sense of cause and effect. From the

5 How to write scenes

 Take the opening of a scene from a favourite novel or
your work-in-progress:
Does the start of the scene have a clear purpose? What is it?
Does the scenes beginning raise interesting questions and possible
developments?
Are the opening events of the scene clear? Is there clear cause and
effect?
Does the opening create direction; a narrative pull towards coming
events?

What the authors say...

An opening line should invite the reader to begin the story. It should say: Listen.
Come in here. You want to know about this. - Stephen King

6 How to write scenes

 How to structure a scene (Part 2):
Then what? How to develop a scene
Once youve got readers hooked with your From the opening attraction, Proulx
scenes opening, the task of developing develops the scene. She develops the
your scene begins. At the start of the scene characters personalities. Quoyles earnest
described in Part 1, the meeting between response shows his direct, uncomplicated
Quoyle and Petal Bear in the second nature. Proulx contrasts this with Petals
chapter of The Shipping News, all we know insincere talk of marriage, as she toys with
is Quoyles intense attraction to Petal. As Quoyles interest.
the scene develops we get more insights
into the scenes primary characters, their Proulx proceeds to develop the initial
personalities and crucial differences. interaction, adding emotion to Quoyles
experience of his and Petals connection.
The development of a scene, broadly This increase in emotional investment
speaking, should: raises the stakes for her character:

1. Build on character actions, motivations As a hot mouth warms a cold

and desires introduced (or resumed) at spoon, Petal warmed Quoyle. He
the start of the scene. stumbled away from his rented
2. Introduce further developments and trailer, his mess of dirty laundry
complications that make us keep and empty ravioli cans, to painful
reading. love, his heart scarred forever by
tattoo needles pricking the name of
To return to Proulxs example, what Petal Petal Bear. (p.13)
says without any sincerity (her question
You want to marry me, dont you?), Proulx develops the scene by showing
Quoyle answers directly: key differences in how Quoyle and Petal
interpret their initial attraction and
Yes, he said, meaning it. She verbal exchange. This development
thought it was wit. She laughed, adds complication. We become aware of
curled her sharp-nailed fingers into potential miscommunication and conflict
his. Stared intently into his eyes like and need to see how the rest of the chapter
an optometrist seeking a flaw. A (and story) pans out.
woman grimaced at them. (p.13)

7 How to write scenes

 Look at how youve developed a scene in your work-
in-progress:
Do characters wants or actions at the start of the scene strongly
influence what follows?
Is there a complication or uncertainty as your scene develops that
makes the reader want more information?
Does the scene continue to show purpose, intrigue, clarity and direc-
tion?

What the authors say...

I know roughly where a book is going to end, but essentially the story develops un-
der my fingers. Its just a matter of joining the dots. Sir Terry Pratchett

8 How to write scenes

 How to structure a scene (Part 3):
Ending your scene
How you end a scene will naturally depend close and prepare the reader for whats
on where it lies in your novel. The scene to come. Proulxs scene acts almost as
that opens a chapter will likely contain the a summary of Quoyle and Petal Bears
kernel that the rest of the chapter unfurls relationship. Exactly how the relationship
out of. The scene that ends a chapter will unravels is explored in greater detail
leave us with new questions to be resolved through the rest of the chapter.
in the next instalment. The scene that ends
a book will tie up loose ends. Like all great scenes, Proulxs chapter
opening promises revelation and
Each scene should feel almost self- development in its beginning, middle
contained, whether youre introducing a and end. The scene offers an intriguing
chapter or ending your novel. Like a great beginning (the vivid visual description
character arc, it introduces (or resumes) an of Petal Bear, showing her mystique
interesting scenario, develops it, and takes and Quoyles attraction). This leads
it to a new point. to an intensifying middle (where their
contrasting personalities foreshadow
Lets look at how E. Annie Proulx ends the possible conflict), followed by an end
scene where Petal Bear and Quoyle meet, that prepares the reader for Quoyles
examined in the previous two parts: heartbreak.

At the end of the scene, before an asterisk If we condense the satisfying structure
announcing a change of scene and place, of Proulxs scene, we see it moves from
Proulx writes: mystery and the unknown (Petals
mysteriousness and Quoyles attraction
There was a month of fiery to her) to the known (Quoyle and
happiness. Then six kinked years of Petals communication and the strife
suffering. (p. 13) it foreshadows), to the unknown (what
causes Quoyles six kinked years of
Proulx only needs this single line to draw suffering).
her intense character introduction to a

9 How to write scenes

If we draw the structure of this scene in throughout the scene, then confirms our
a diagram, we can see that Proulx builds growing suspicion that this will happen:
the distance her main character has to fall

Quoyle and Petal have an intense Quoyle and Petals future

conversation that reveals important, relationship is confirmed, but
conflict-causing character differences so is suffering it will cause

Quoyle and
Petal meet

Intro: Promise of a fall (6 years

Stronger tension: implied
Mild tension shows their union will end)
misunderstanding of each
characters intentions

As an exercise read a few of your best events in the story?

scenes from your favourite novels. Make a To return to Proulxs scene ending and our
simple diagram of the core events of the four key ingredients of a good scene:
scene, showing the rise of either tension or
character stakes, like in the diagram above. The scenes ending has purpose: It shows
Examine how the author handles the us that there is trouble to come, and this
beginning, middle and end of the scene. intrigues us and makes us want to know
How do they make each part interesting? more. It introduces the subject matter that
Are there: will occupy the remainder of the chapter.
New character introductions?
Signs of coming conflicts or opposing The ending gives intrigue: Why does
character goals and desires? Quoyles fiery happiness with Petal only
Elements of foreshadowing that suggest last for a month? How will the following 6
how the scene could influence future years be kinked with suffering?

10 How to write scenes

Proulxs ending is concise and clear: traits that will lead to Quoyles suffering.
Because of Petals insincerity (she always There is direction: Proulxs ending leads us
asks people if they want to marry her), we into the greater relationship detail of the
already have an inkling of the personality remaining chapter.

Look at the ending of a scene youve written:

Does your ending give a rounding off effect to your scene while still
leaving unknowns to be revealed?
Does the tension of your scene increase and/or decrease? By the end,
has your character reached the (metaphorical) foot of a mountain or
the brink of a precipice?
Does your scenes ending have purpose, intrigue, clarity and
direction?

What the authors say...

October knew, of course, that the action of turning a page, of ending a chapter or of
shutting a book, did not end a tale. Having admitted that, he would also avow that
happy endings were never difficult to find: It is simply a matter, he explained to
April, of finding a sunny place in a garden, where the light is golden and the grass is
soft; somewhere to rest, to stop reading, and to be content. Neil Gaiman

11 How to write scenes

Ready to improve your scenes? Brainstorm characters, settings and
themes and get helpful feedback on your writing on Now Novel.