A plotter’s guide to writing scenes
If you’re anything like me, you know where you need your story to go, and you’ve planned out every beat. You’re so big and smart, you’ve figured the whole thing out.
But when you sit down to actually write the scenes, it feels like smashing dolls together and hoping for the best.
Outlining has sucked the dopamine right out of the story.
Congratulations, you’ve played yourself.
But all hope is not lost.
I, too, was in your shoes, until I realised that what I really needed was to stop looking at the big picture and focus on the scene.
First, think of your scene in terms of start, middle, and end. Just picturing it in this way instead of “stuff happens” is going to help.
Now, before you write, answer these questions:
Describe the scene in one sentence. What’s going on? Make it as simple as possible. What does the POV character want in this scene? What stands in their way? What changes by the end of this scene?Now, put it all together: “In this scene, ___ tries to ___, but ___, and by the end ___.”
What emotion do they feel at the start? At the midpoint? At the end? What triggers the shift? And most importantly, what is the hidden emotion or thought that they won’t admit/say out loud?
What does the character believe about themselves or the world at this point? How does that belief (false or otherwise) shape their behaviours and thoughts? Does anything in this scene change that belief?
Tension and power dynamics are often the spine of a juicy, well written scene. So think about this next. Who is in a position of power at the start of the scene? (this can be anything - information, magic, status, love, fear). What leverage do they have? Who thinks they are in power? Does that power shift?
Now, make sure you sprinkle in some sensory detail. Focus on specificity. Write down visual, sound, texture, smell, even physical sensations that are filtered through your character’s experiences.
And finally, why can’t the character just leave the scene? What’s keeping them there? If the answer is nothing, then you might want to rethink the stakes in this scene
