How to Write a Scene

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 won’t go anywhere. Every scene must serve one of these purposes:

1. Advance the Plot – Something significant happens that pushes the narrative forward.
2. Develop Characters – Readers gain new insights into your characters’ motivations, relationships, or flaws.
3. Build the World or Theme – Subtly weave in elements of your world or reinforce thematic aspects without info-dumping.

If your scene doesn’t 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 you’re writing can sharpen your focus. Here are two prominent types:

Proactive Scenes

Proactive scenes involve action—your character is pursuing a goal, whether it’s 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. Here’s the anatomy of a compelling one:

1. Inciting Incident – Something happens that sparks a reaction (e.g., an unexpected text, a knock at the door).
2. Objective/Goal – Your character wants something specific in this scene.
3. Conflict – There should always be an obstacle or tension preventing the character from easily achieving their goal.
4. Turning Point – Something shifts. The stakes heighten, and the character must adapt.
5. Climax – The moment of decision or action that defines the scene.
6. Resolution – 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. Let’s break them down together, so you can find the one that feels right for your creative process.  

1. Sarra Cannon’s Scene Roadmap  

Focus: Weaving deep character motivation into every scene.  

Key Features:  

• Character-Centered: Start by looking at your point-of-view (POV) character. What do they want? What’s standing in their way?
• Personal Stakes: Connect emotionally—what 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 you’re looking to align your scenes with your character’s growth and your story’s purpose, this method is for you.  

2. Goal, Motivation, Conflict (GMC)  

Focus: Keeping it simple and clear.  

Key Features:  

• Goal: What’s driving your character in this moment?  
• Motivation: Why do they want it so badly?  
• Conflict: What’s getting in their way?  

Best For: Need a quick way to check that your scene has a purpose? This is your go-to framework.  

3. Scene Essentials Blueprint  

Focus: Building immersive, detailed scenes.  

Key Features:  

• Hook and Purpose: Grab your readers’ attention and show them why this scene matters.  
• Conflict and Climax: Let your characters clash and push toward a satisfying resolution.  
• Sensory Detail: Bring your world to life by engaging all five senses.  

Best For: When you want your scenes to feel vivid, layered, and purposeful.  

4. Susanne Lakin Scene Guide  

Focus: Creating a grounded sense of time and place.  

Key Features:  

• Temporal Elements: Set the stage with details like time of day, weather, and how much time has passed.  
• Plot Advancement: Move your story forward with new twists or tensions.  
• World-Building: Add depth with specific, vivid setting details.  

Best For: Writers who want their readers to feel completely immersed in the world of their story.  

5. Three Story Method  

Focus: Cause-and-effect storytelling that keeps readers hooked.  

Key Features:  

• Conflict: What’s the challenge your character is facing here?  
• Choice: How do they respond?  
• Consequence: What happens next to keep the story moving?  

Best For: When you want to maintain tight momentum and keep readers turning the pages.  

6. W Plot Method  

Focus: Taking readers on an emotional rollercoaster.  

Key Features:  

• Trigger Events and Turning Points: Create highs and lows that keep the tension alive.  
• Resolution: Wrap up the immediate conflict while building anticipation for what’s to come.  

Best For: Structuring scenes with dynamic pacing and emotional depth.  

How to Use Conflict in a Scene

Conflict is the lifeblood of storytelling, and it doesn’t always have to involve explosions or screaming matches. Here’s how to infuse tension in your scenes:

1. Internal Conflict: Torn emotions, self-doubt, or moral dilemmas—this type of conflict adds layers to your characters.
2. Interpersonal Conflict: A disagreement or tension between two (or more) characters. Not everything needs to be a shouting duel; subtle friction often hits harder.
3. 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 isn’t just about what happens—it’s how you deliver it. Here’s how to keep those pages turning:

• Start Late, End Early: Jump right into the action—skip 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 what’s at risk and what your character stands to gain or lose. What’s 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 there’s 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 bomb—chaos, 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, “Nice to see you still remember where home is,” 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 station—constant movement and high stakes. Or use the setting to reflect emotion, like rain-soaked streets mirroring a private detective’s growing despair. The world your characters inhabit should feel alive.
• Build Tension with Visual Storytelling: Sometimes, what’s 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 guessing—like two lovers in a heated argument suddenly pausing when the power cuts out. It’s 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 daughter’s trophies says more than a heartfelt monologue ever could. Or let polite dialogue carry a double meaning: a king telling a rival lord, “Your strength grows daily,” 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 capture—it’s 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 what’s next. Close with a moment that sparks curiosity, like a lawyer discovering a cryptic note in a file and whispering, “Who knew this?” Questions create momentum, pulling readers or viewers into the next chapter.

Mistakes to Avoid When Writing a Scene

Writing a scene isn’t without its pitfalls. Here are the big no-nos:

• Too Much Exposition: Avoid dumping backstory or world building in one go. Readers should sense they’re learning naturally as the story unfolds.
• Characters With No Goals: A passive character equals a passive reader. Everyone in your scene needs an agenda—even 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.