We’ve covered the importance of dramatic tension in scenes. Now let’s talk about how to structure them in a way that maximizes their impact.
Scene structure is crucial to a novel’s success. A well-ordered scene can keep readers engaged and invested in the story, while a poorly structured scene can be confusing and cause readers to lose interest.
The first part of a scene is the setup. This is where you give the reader information about the characters, setting, and the situation at hand. Here, the scene’s purpose is established, and the conflict is introduced.
The characters should be introduced early in the scene. Make sure they’re developed well enough to give the reader a sense of their personalities and motivations.
Introduce setting details through description, action, and/or dialogue. Make descriptions vivid, and give the reader a clear picture of where the action is taking place.
Now, here is the scene element that almost all new authors miss … ,
Every scene must have a purpose.
What’s more, each scene should do at least two of the following jobs: advance the plot, develop characters, reinforce theme, pose of give clues to a mystery, heighten or release dramatic tension.
If a scene does one or none of these things, it’s dead weight and should be cut.
Once you’ve determined the purpose of your scene, you need to consider its placement in the overall narrative. Each scene should move the story forward and build upon what has come before.
Remember that pacing is crucial in storytelling. Too many slow scenes in a row will bore your readers, while too many action-packed scenes will wear them out.
A good rule of thumb is to alternate between action and reaction scenes. An action scene involves characters pursuing a goal and encountering an obstacle, while a reaction scene shows the characters dealing with the aftermath of the action scene.
In terms of scene structure, it’s helpful to think of each scene as a mini three-act sequence. The beginning sets up the scene and establishes the characters’ goals. The middle contains the conflict and obstacle the characters must overcome to achieve their goals. The end resolves the conflict and shows the aftermath of the characters’ actions.
To create a sense of rising tension and keep readers engaged, it’s important to vary the obstacles the characters face. If every obstacle is the same, readers will quickly grow bored. Instead, introduce new challenges that test the characters in different ways and force them to adapt.
It’s also important to vary the stakes of each scene. If every scene is life-or-death, the tension will eventually plateau, and readers will become desensitized. Instead, mix in scenes with smaller stakes that still matter to the characters and move the plot forward.
When it comes to action scenes, remember that conflict is key. Conflict arises when a character in pursuit of a goal encounters an obstacle.
Action is not the same as conflict. Action scenes may provide a measure of conflict resolution, but they also reduce tension. As a result, it’s important to keep action scenes short and sweet. If a fight scene drags on too long, the tension will dissipate, and readers will grow bored.
A good way to balance tension and conflict in an action scene is to have an overarching goal for the protagonist. The hero should have a clear objective that they’re pursuing throughout the scene, and each obstacle they encounter should raise the stakes and tension. The hero should believably defeat the opposition without releasing all of the additional tension, leaving readers wanting more.
Remember that downtime can be just as effective at building tension as action. Characters can use downtime to discuss the story’s stakes or reflect on their situation. This can serve as a recap of the story thus far for the reader’s benefit and can build or maintain tension.
Ultimately, the key to effective scene structure is to keep readers engaged by varying the obstacles and stakes, balancing tension and conflict, and making sure each scene moves the story along. By thinking of each scene as a mini three-act structure and using alternating action and reaction scenes, you can create a sense of rising tension that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.
So, there you have it, new authors. Remember to always consider the purpose and placement of each scene, vary the obstacles and stakes, and balance tension and conflict. By following these guidelines and structuring your scenes effectively, you can keep readers engaged and propel your story forward with maximum impact.
To see these writing principles in action, read my hit mech thriller now:
