How to structure a scene

In this blog we will home in on how to structure a scene in your novel. If you haven't seen my previous blog and video on how to structure your overall novel, the link will be below. If you have and you're ready to go into a scene by scene structure, then lets begin!

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All scenes have to have a goal which gives a clear direction for the book to go in. We can establish this through the characters needs, i.e. the character has to get from a to b or find a specific object. If the goal is created by an external source, it must happen close to the start of the scene. A character could also need to win a battle or obtain information.

If a scene is lacking a goal, then it can come across as boring and make readers switch off from your book or put it down. A tell-tale sign of a scene missing a goal can be too much dialogue.

Once you have decided on your scenes goal, it is time to decide what type of scene you will write.

There are two types of scenes in a book, Proactive and Reactive.

Proactive

A proactive scene is where a character decides their own fate and what they will do. These are often scenes of battle, conflict, and physical goals.

This scene can be broken down into three sections.

Conflict - A conflict is a barrier between your character and their goal.

i.e. Your protagonist's goal is to seek revenge against the antagonist.

The conflict is that between your protagonist and the antagonist is a burning village ravaged by battle.

Proaction - This is when your character takes a step towards reaching their goal.

i.e. Your character runs into the burning village and take the dangerous route across the burning rooftops,

heading straight for the antagonist but out of view from the battle.

The Consequence - Does the character succeed or fail? Do they become trapped? Stalling them from achieving

their goal.

i.e. After crossing the rooftops, the protagonist comes face to face with the antagonist. Raising

their blades they battle. Both are wounded badly and fall by each other's side. The antagonist

passes away. Revenge is won.

Reactive

A Reactive scene is where your character reacts to something happening to them. These are normally emotional or problematic scenes.

This scene can be broken down into two sections.

Problem - What is the problem your character has been faced with?

i.e. Your protagonist's goal was to escape the burning village. However, their lover has been killed by an arrow.

Decision - How will they react?

i.e. Your protagonist cries, wailing out at the smokey sky. As they look back at the village, through the

smokey haze they glimpse the antagonist. They grit their teeth and rise to their feet, knowing what

they must now do.

A reactive scene often leads into a proactive one. They can be right next to each other or separated. You can have multiple reactive scenes before reaching a proactive. Both always need a goal. If your chapter has no goal, then get rid of it or it will slow your book down and risk losing your reader.

This is a template structure, if you think something else could work in your story then go for it! But if you're struggling to make a scene work, use this as a template and it will bring it all together.

I hope you found this helpful, if you would like to see this information in video format please head to my YouTube channel.

https://www.youtube.com/user/Robynblond09

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