Writting a Scene

Each scene is composed of a miniature story arc. Do you see how closely the steps mimic the story arc? Only Step 5 is different. Step 5 is a thought process for the author to undertake as each scene is written.

S T E P  1 :  S e t u p

W h e r e  a r e  w e ,  w h o ’ s  t h e r e ,  a n d  w h a t ’ s  g o i n g  o n ?

S T E P  2 :  G o a l

W h a t  i s  m y  h e r o ' s  g o a l  i n  t h i s  s c e n e ?  W h a t  d o e s  he/s h e    w a n t ?

S T E P  3 :  C o n f l i c t

W h a t h a p p e n s t o  m a k e  i t  h a r d e r  f o r  m y  h e r o  t o  g e t  w h a t  he/s h e w a n t s ?

S T E P  4 :  R e s o l u t i o n

D o e s m y  h e r o  s u c c e e d  o r  f a i l  i n  g e t t i n g  w h a t  he/s h e  w a n t s ?  H o w d o e s  t h e  s c e n e e n d ?

S T E P  5 :  P u r p o s e

W h a t  i s  t h e  p u r p o s e  o f  t h i s  s c e n e ?  D o e s  i t  m o v e  t h e  s t o r y f o r w a r d ,  c h a r a c t e r i z e ,  o r  b o t h ?

From: Ink and Quill