A novel scene is the building block of a novel, screenplay, or short story. If you’re writing a novel, your ability to write a strong novel scene will move the action forward and keep the reader turning the pages. Here are some tips to write a novel scene.
Every story uses what are known as the seven plot points or key moments of story structure. This structure was created by writer Dan Wells.
If you analyze your favorite novel—the one you couldn’t put down and couldn’t wait to finish—or movie, you’ll see that each uses the same 7-point structure.
Exposition/Introduction: In these scenes, we meet the main characters and their physical setting. We also learn something about their life before the inciting incident happens.
Inciting incident: The inciting incident is something that shakes up the normal world of the characters. It could be the arrival of a new person, some unwelcome news, a world event, a telephone call, a letter, or a natural disaster. It introduces a problem that the main character must solve.
Rising action: During the story, the first inciting incident develops into a major problem that continues to get worse. Sometimes it gets worse because of external factors. Sometimes, it gets worse because the characters stay stuck, don’t act in time, or make mistakes when they finally do act.
Dilemma: Eventually, things reach the point where the character must deal with the problem. Often, the character has two options that they must choose from. Each will lead to a different path, and no clear path may be obvious, but the character finally makes a decision.
Climax: The character makes a choice. The climax is the action that follows this decision. The character now has a goal and a mission. Once the decision is made, the rest of the plot focuses on their ability to achieve their goal.
Falling action: Once the climax is finished, the story begins to slow down, and the loose ends get wrapped up.
Resolution: At the end of the story, the character solves the problem, and the mission is over. The problem may still reappear in the future, but for now, it is vanquished.
Try the 3-Act Method
Also known as the 3-Act 27-Chapter Method, this structure divides the story into three acts, and then divides each act into nine blocks. Every block is a novel scene. Each of the nine blocks helps drive the plot in specific ways.
The 3-Act Method was developed by writer Kat O’Keefe. This is an excellent method if you want a strong framework for your story. If you’re a writer who works well when you have a solid outline to follow, this will help you create one strong novel scene after another.
It uses the conflict and resolution method for every novel scene in a series of scenes that build the story block by block. Here’s how it works.
Act 1: Sets the stage for all the events that follow in the story.
Act 2: Your main character must deal with the reality that things have changed. They also begin learning skills, developing inner resources, and building alliances to help them deal with this new reality.
Act 3: The resolution of the story begins, and the plot winds down to a final ending.
Each chapter is then broken down into nine blocks, or scenes, as follows.
The Nine Scenes of Act 1
Introduction
Inciting incident
Reaction to the inciting incident
Rebellion: The main character pushes back against the new reality.
Action/conflict: The character begins resolving the problem introduced by the inciting incident.
Consequence: The hero must face the consequences of their actions.
Pressure: The decisions the character has taken begin to take their toll, and the character is facing obstacles to success.
Pinch: A plot twist that makes the main character question their decision to act.
Push: The push is a plot twist or an internal decision to face the new reality and push forward.
The Nine Scenes of Act 2
New world/introduction: Through the events of the story, the character is now facing a new world or a new way of thinking. This can involve both negative and positive elements, as the character discovers good and bad things about the new reality in this novel scene.
Fun and games: The hero explores the new world, develops new skills, and meets new characters who may become teachers, allies, or supporters.
Resolution: The hero has accepted the new reality and compares it to the old, ordinary world of their past.
Setup: New complications come up, and the character must contend with major obstacles to success.
Midpoint: A major incident occurs that changes everything in this novel scene.
Reversal: Because of what happened at the midpoint, the hero must change their plans.
Consequence: The main character reflects on the consequences of all the actions that have brought them to this point.
Trials: The hero decides to continue their quest or mission.
Resolution: The main character decides to make a final stand.
The Nine Scenes of Act 3
Setup: Also known as the calm before the storm, in which the main character feels pressured to come up with a plan.
Plot twist: Something happens to throw everything into disarray. This is usually the most devastating blow yet.
Darkest point: At this point, the hero is ready to give up.
Power within: The main character somehow finds the power to continue, sometimes with the support of others, and sometimes from their inner resources.
Action: In a final burst of energy, the character makes a new, final plan.
Convergence: All the plot lines and characters come together for the final scenes.
Last battle: This is it. The hero may win or lose. The battle may be with an enemy, with themselves, or with other outside forces.
Climax: The battle ends, and the mission is over.
Resolution: The main character and other characters must now live with what happens after the climax.
Make the Hero’s Journey
The so-called Hero’s Journey is a classic way to structure a novel. It’s especially useful for fantasy, mystery, and adventure novels.
Writer Joseph Campbell described the journey as taking three steps, which are the following.
Departure: The hero leaves a familiar setting.
Initiation: During this journey, the hero faces and overcomes challenges.
Return: The hero comes back home.
Author Christopher Vogler enlarged on this basic three-point structure to create the 12 Stages of the Hero’s Journey. This 12-point outline is the one most used today. You can think of each element as a novel scene that builds the action in a classic, well-recognized formula.
Ordinary world: This is the familiar setting where we first meet the hero.
Call to adventure: Something or someone convinces the hero to leave.
Refusal of the call: At first, the hero doesn’t want to go.
Meeting the mentor: A wiser, more powerful mentor advises the hero and urges him or her to go.
Crossing the first threshold: The hero makes the decision and takes the first steps into adventure.
Tests, allies, enemies: Entering the new world, the character meets new friends, enemies, and challenges.
Approach to the inmost cave: The character comes close to reaching their goal.
Ordeal: Before the hero can reach their goal, they must face a final test.
Reward: The hero finds the resolve to achieve a final victory.
Road back: The character faces new challenges on their return home.
Resurrection: While victorious, the hero is forever changed by their experiences.
Return: The hero returns to their familiar, ordinary world in this final novel scene.
Every Novel Scene Counts
When drafting your novel, every novel scene must work toward the same goal. Keep moving the plot forward. Make sure to follow every conflict with a resolution of some kind. Every novel scene you write will build to the final resolution and a road back for your hero.
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