Thursday, July 7, 2011

4 Bringing Scenes to Life

Since Marissa and I are still on blog hiatus, we're not picking contest winners until we get back. In the meantime, here's a repost of an earlier article I wrote while I was thinking about bringing scenes to life in a novel.

For me, the best scenes are visual. The truly great scenes, the ones I remember from novels by other writers, play in my mind like a film. I can see the action, but unlike film, a novel also lets me smell the coffee, and taste the fear or sorrow. I can get closer to the character than I would in a film, so the emotion is right there close to my heart, and it stays there.

But how do I get to that point as a writer? How does any writer create scenes that are memorable, visual, and visceral?

First, the Structure

  • Establish a specific goal the main character wants to achieve.
Along the way, it also:
  • Shows action as it unfolds.
  • Has a beginning, middle, and end.
  • Contains concrete turning points, both external and internal.
  • Provides one or more pieces of new information.
  • Introduces characters or reveals something about characters previously introduced.
  • Advances the theme.
  • Leaves the reader with a specific emotion and a reason to continue reading.
The scene is then followed by the aftermath:
  • The emotional response the character has to the failure she just experience before she dusts herself off and looks for a new solution.
  • The risky decision she finally reaches that seems like the lesser among the available evils.
These days, the aftermath may occur within the scene, and it may occur at each of the turning points.


Then, the Setting

  • Empty air.
  • A generic version of a location.
  • An unpopulated or unfurnished location.
  • The same location you've already used for fifty other scenes. 
  • A place that won't add meaning to your story.
  • Create atmosphere.
  • Help advance the plot.
  • Illuminate your characters.
  • Add complications and impediments to keep characters from reaching their goals.
  • Provide a framework within which your characters move.
  • Give your characters something with which to interact.
  • Tie back to your larger theme.
    • Why are they there?
    • Who picked the location? Why?
    • Could the scene take place anywhere else? Why not?
  • Draw a mental picture of that location.
    • What is the mood?
    • What is the weather like?
    • What is adjacent to the location?
    • What does the place look like?
    • What does it smell like?
    • What does it sound like?
    • What does it make the characters think about?
    • What does it make the characters feel?
  • Determine how this setting different from every other similar location.
    • Are there cigarette burns on the carpet?
    • Does the maid leave prayers on the pillow?
  • Put your characters in their places within the setting.
    • Are they all grouped together?
    • Is one slightly apart?
    • Who is next to whom? Why?
    • Are they running for their lives?
    • Eating?
    • Working?
    • Fiddling with a radio?
    • Unpacking something?
    • Do they pick something up?
    • Shift it back into place?
    • Turn it over and hide it? Why?
    • Turn away from it? Why?
    • Do their eyes keep straying to it? Why?
    • What do their eyes focus on?
    • What do they love?
    • What do they hate?
    • What do they avoid?
    • What do they want to change? Why?
    • What does that say about them?
    • What does it symbolize?
    • How does it tie back to the central theme?
    • Their physical locations?
    • Their body positions?
The Key is in the Details
  • Give the reader a quick overview of the setting.
  • Reveal the characters who are present.
  • Set up the emotional response for the sequel.
  • Underscore the "button" or payoff for the scene.
  • Highlight the disaster that has just occurred.
Wrapping It All Together


Happy scene building,


For more information:

Best Scenes in Fiction
Scenes, the Building Blocks of Novels
How to Write a Scene
Easy Steps to Writing Sensational Scenes
Writing Fiction, Scenes: Part 1
Writing Fiction, Scenes: Part 2
How to Write a Novel with Perfect Scenes
Writing the Perfect Scene
Sequels: Advanced Writing Technique
Effective Scene Changes--Transitions
Controlling Story Flow with Sequels
Fiction Craft: Ending a Scene
What Makes a Great Setting
Important Tools in Setting a Novel
The Basics of Screenwriting, Setting the Scene
Using Establishing Shots in Your Screenplay



  1. Great post. Keeping this for reference.

    Have a great break!

  2. Wow...writing is so complex, the more you learn! I really like the idea (never thought of it before) of having a scene begin and end with a strong image. I'll have to look at my scenes with that in mind. I'm definitely saving this list/article for reference. Thanks!

