First Scene Checklist
Note: Scene creation is a process, just as story creation is a process. The
document before you is that process. It’s designed to help you build a scene using a series of steps from basic synopsis to comprehensive scene summary and when tied together with other scene types, a complete novel outline.
Many scene types have the same questions, but not all the same answer. Take your time with these questions because your answers will not be the same as they were in previous scene types. Character arch’s progress. Plots progress. Each scene in a story contains similar progressions and therefore the same questions must be asked of each scene. The questions can become repetitive, but they are necessary.
Definition of a first scene: The opening scene of your novel. The opening scene contains these components: the inciting incident; the story problem; the initial surface problem; the setup; backstory; language; character; setting; and foreshadowing.
Scene Summary: Summarize your scene using the following guide. ©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
One Sentence Synopsis: (include beginning, middle, and end)
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Character(s) Involved:
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Setting:
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Time of day:
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©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Scene Opening:
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Scene Climax:
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©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Scene ending:
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©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Movie mode is a technique used by many authors. Prior to building a scene,
some authors let the scene unfold in their mind as though they are watching a
movie. Consider trying this technique prior to finalizing your scene. You’ll be
surprised on what you may visualize.
Include the following elements as you brainstorm your scene:
• Inciting incident: The inciting incident is the scene that gets the story
moving. It’s not the story problem, but the problem that lays the foundation
for the story problem.
For example: Almost any thriller novel starts with action and in most
cases someone dies. In family movies, like the 1983 movie Mr. Mom, Jack
Butler played by Michael Keaton gets fired from his automotive job forcing
his wife into work outside the home (inciting incident). Jack then becomes
Mr. Mom (story problem).
• Setting and character: Setting usually coincides with several aspects of an
opening scene, most notably character. Introduce setting and character in
the first sentence or the first paragraph. It’s crucial your reader get a mental
picture of the setting and character immediately.
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
• Pace: Every character should be in motion, and your pace should match.
Find a movie or a book with a slow pace and I’ll bet you never read the
entire story.
• Subtext: Provide some details about your POV character that could be used
to help the reader identify with the character. Subtext used sparingly can
also be used to foreshadow future events in the story. Use subtext to
provide details of your characters inner and outer motivations, and
character.
• Character Decisions: Before the end of your opening scene your POV
character must make a decision that will propel the plot forward. This
character may be the protagonist or the antagonist, but their decision to kill
or find the killer in the thriller genre, must be made before the end of the
first scene. The result of the decision will lead to more complications.
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Using the scene summary and movie mode technique results, answer the
following questions. This process will form your scene foundation. Just as a
building cannot stand without a solid foundation, nor can your scene.
POV Character:
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In what context was your POV character introduced? (what were they doing?)
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What did the POV character need?
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©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Who or what prevented the POV character from obtaining their need?
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Are others character involved? (Do they have a need? List them.)
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What was the moment of peak intensity?
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©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
What are the character consequences at the end of the scene and how will
you show that consequence to the reader?
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©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Using the movie mode technique, setting, and time of day from your scene
summary above, place yourself in the eyes of your POV character as the
scene begins, climaxes, and ends. What elements of setting should you
include to make your scene realistic?
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©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Using the movie mode technique and setting element list above, show how
your POV character interacted with the setting by including the 5 senses.
(taste, sight, touch, smell, and hearing)
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©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Where can you incorporate the POV character flaw to this scene?
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How did this scene move the plot forward?
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©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Keeping it simple, summarize your entire scene and include all of the above.
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Action Scene
Note:
Scene creation is a process, just as story creation is a process. The
document before you is that process. It’s designed to help you build a scene
using a series of steps from basic synopsis to comprehensive scene summary
and when tied together with other scene types, a complete novel outline.
Many scene types have the same questions, but not all the same
answer. Take your time with these questions because your answers will not be
the same as they were in previous scene types. Character arch’s progress.
Plots progress. Each scene in a story contains similar progressions and
therefore the same questions must be asked of each scene. The questions can
become repetitive, but they are necessary.
Definition of an action scene: A protagonist is caught in a series of challenges
that typically includes pursuits, violence, physical feats, life threatening
situations, chases, and usually ends with the protagonist victory.
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Scene Summary: Summarize your scene using the following guide.
One Sentence Synopsis: (include beginning, middle, and end)
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__________________________________________________________________
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Character(s) Involved:
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__________________________________________________________________
Setting:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Time of day:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Scene Opening:
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Scene Climax:
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©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Scene ending:
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©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Movie mode is a technique used by many authors. Prior to building a scene,
some authors let the scene unfold in their mind as though they are watching a
movie. Consider trying this technique prior to finalizing your scene. You’ll be
surprised on what you may visualize.
Include the following elements as you brainstorm your scene:
• Character reaction: Action scenes tend to have unexpected moments of
reaction. These reactions are typically instinctual in nature. (flinching,
blocking a blow, moving quickly or slowly, thinking on your feet or not,
etc.) Keeping your characters flaws in the forefront, how would your
character react? How are their flaws revealed to the reader?
• Character consequences: In the Bourne Identity Jason Bourne and Marie
realized their lives would never be the same after finding out they were
wanted by Interpol and out-maneuvering the police in one of the greatest
car chase scenes in the history of the movies. What consequences will your
character face as a result of this scene?
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
• Character discovery (Character arc progression): In Spiderman, Toby
McQuire (Spiderman) discovered he could defend any aggression when he
reacted to a fist fight in school with incredible speed and agility eventually
beating the toughest kid in school. What will your character discover
during the action they otherwise would not have known about themselves
in a normal situation?
• Scene results: Using the Bourne Identity example above, at the end of the
scene when the car chase ends, Jason and Marie take a moment to take a
deep breathe. Their brief dialogue and physical movements were deliberate
and slow allowing the viewer a break in the action. Determine which
direction the ending of your action scene will take your reader. Does your
story slow-down or maintain the excitement?
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Using the scene summary and movie mode technique results, answer the
following questions. This process will form your scene foundation. Just as a
building cannot stand without a solid foundation, nor can your scene.
POV Character:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
In what context was your POV character introduced? (what were they doing?)
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
What did the POV character need?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Who or what prevented the POV character from obtaining their need?
__________________________________________________________________
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__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Are others character involved? (Do they have a need? List them.)
__________________________________________________________________
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__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
How did your POV character reach instinctually during the scene?
__________________________________________________________________
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©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
What are the character consequences at the end of the scene and how will
you show that consequence to the reader?
__________________________________________________________________
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__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Using the movie mode technique, setting, and time of day from your scene
summary above, place yourself in the eyes of your POV character as the
scene begins, climaxes, and ends. What elements of setting should you
include to make your scene realistic?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Using the movie mode technique and setting element list above, show how
your POV character interacted with the setting by including the 5 senses.
(taste, sight, touch, smell, and hearing)
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
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©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Where can you incorporate the POV character flaw to this scene?
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How did this scene move the plot forward?
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__________________________________________________________________
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Keeping it simple, summarize your entire scene and include all of the above.
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Suspense Scene
Note: Scene creation is a process, just as story creation is a process. The
document before you is that process. It’s designed to help you build a scene using a series of steps from basic synopsis to comprehensive scene summary and when tied together with other scene types, a complete novel outline.
Many scene types have the same questions, but not all the same answer. Take your time with these questions because your answers will not be the same as they were in previous scene types. Character arch’s progress. Plots progress. Each scene in a story contains similar progressions and therefore the same questions must be asked of each scene. The questions can become repetitive, but they are necessary.
Definition of a suspense scene: Suspense is a feeling of excitement combined with tension, apprehension, and anxiety. It is both mysterious and predictable.
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Scene Summary: Summarize your scene using the following guide.
One Sentence Synopsis: (include beginning, middle, and end)
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__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Character(s) Involved:
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__________________________________________________________________
Setting:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Time of day:
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©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Scene Opening:
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Scene Climax:
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©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Scene ending:
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©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Movie mode is a technique used by many authors. Prior to building a scene,
some authors let the scene unfold in their mind as though they are watching a
movie. Consider trying this technique prior to finalizing your scene. You’ll be
surprised on what you may visualize.
Include the following elements as you brainstorm your scene:
• Opening: Because suspense scenes are meant to cause anxiety and
excitement, so must the opening elude to the coming suspense.
For example: 2009 Inglorious Bastards. Jewish American soldiers,
dressed as German soldiers and who do not speak fluent German, are deep
into German territory in a German bar/establishment when a high ranking
German soldier enters. This opening causes uneasiness with the Jewish
American soldiers when the German soldier sits down to have a drink and
converse.
Imagine the uneasiness among the audience when the threat of being
found out way behind enemy lines is so near.
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
• POV Character: The POV character should be in trouble immediately. There
should not be long exposition in the beginning of the scene, but a trouble
lurking.
For example: In continuing with the Inglorious Bastards film, the POV
character happens to be the only soldier who can speak German. This
soldier gets into a conversation with the German soldier. The audience is
sure the German soldier will pick up on the non-native accent.
• Mood and Setting: Just as you would any other scene, you must match the
mood of the scene with your setting. If your mood is dark, make the setting
match with dim lights or dusk at night. If your mood is foreboding, use a
feeling of the unexpected in your setting. Use all five senses to encapsulate
your mood and setting.
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
• Mid Scene: Suspense only grows out of action. Watch a suspenseful scene
in the movies and you’ll begin to notice the POV character does something
during the middle of the scene that ratchets up the suspense.
For example: The bar scene in Inglorious Bastards. The suspense is high
during the middle of the scene. The German soldier has already begun
to suspect there is something not quite right with his German
comrades, when the POV character makes a mistake when discussing a
famous German movie. It’s a mistake no German would ever make,
and the real German picks up on it and calls it to the table.
• Unexplained increase in Suspense: Adding additional suspense to an
already suspenseful scene is what writers do. Not to be outdone by the
mid-scene increase in suspense is the unexplained increase in suspense. Be
sure to include an element that cannot be explained to increase suspense.
This type of suspense is not usually focused on one character, but the scene
itself.
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
• Ending: Sadly every suspense scene must end. There are two ways to end a
suspense scene. You can end with the release of the suspense or you can
end with a cliffhanger to keep the reader interested and turning the pages.
Keep in mind cliffhangers should be used sparingly. Once per novel is
enough.
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Using the scene summary and movie mode technique results, answer the
following questions. This process will form your scene foundation. Just as a
building cannot stand without a solid foundation, nor can your scene.
POV Character:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
In what context was your POV character introduced? (what were they doing?)
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
What did the POV character need?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Who or what prevented the POV character from obtaining their need?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Are others character involved? (Do they have a need? List them.)
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
How did your POV character reach instinctually during the scene?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
What are the character consequences at the end of the scene and how will
you show that consequence to the reader?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Using the movie mode technique, setting, and time of day from your scene
summary above, place yourself in the eyes of your POV character as the
scene begins, climaxes, and ends. What elements of setting should you
include to make your scene realistic?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Using the movie mode technique and setting element list above, show how
your POV character interacted with the setting by including the 5 senses.
(taste, sight, touch, smell, and hearing)
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Where can you incorporate the POV character flaw to this scene?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
How did this scene move the plot forward?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Keeping it simple, summarize your entire scene and include all of the above.
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Flashback Scene
Note: Scene creation is a process, just as story creation is a process. The
document before you is that process. It’s designed to help you build a scene using a series of steps from basic synopsis to comprehensive scene summary and when tied together with other scene types, a complete novel outline.
Many scene types have the same questions, but not all the same answer. Take your time with these questions because your answers will not be the same as they were in previous scene types. Character arch’s progress. Plots progress. Each scene in a story contains similar progressions and therefore the same questions must be asked of each scene. The questions can become repetitive, but they are necessary.
Definition of a flashback scene: a sudden and/or vivid memory from the past.
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Scene Summary: Summarize your scene using the following guide.
One Sentence Synopsis: (include beginning, middle, and end)
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Character(s) Involved:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Setting:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Time of day:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Scene Opening:
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Scene Climax:
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©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
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Scene ending:
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__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Movie mode is a technique used by many authors. Prior to building a scene,
some authors let the scene unfold in their mind as though they are watching a
movie. Consider trying this technique prior to finalizing your scene. You’ll be
surprised on what you may visualize.
Include the following elements as you brainstorm your scene:
• Clear Transition: Flashbacks should be considered carefully and used
sparingly in novels. Part of the issue with flashbacks is the need for a clear
transition from real time, to flashback and vice versa. A movie can handle a
flashback with cinematography. Novels rely on words alone and that’s
tough. If you do decide to add a flashback, make sure the reader knows it’s
a flashback and for goodness sake, don’t start your novel with a flashback.
Likewise, make sure the reader knows when the flashback is over.
• Meaning: Just like every scene in a novel is meant to move the plot
forward, it is also true for flashbacks. Flashbacks also require meaning,
specific information, and are focused and to the point.
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
• Brief: Keep your flashback scene brief. It only has one meaning or specific
purpose. Keep only what is needed and end the flashback.
Using the scene summary and movie mode technique results, answer the
following questions. This process will form your scene foundation. Just as a
building cannot stand without a solid foundation, nor can your scene.
POV Character:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
In what context was your POV character introduced? (what were they doing?)
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
What did the POV character need?
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Who or what prevented the POV character from obtaining their need?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Are others character involved? (Do they have a need? List them.)
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
How did your POV character reach instinctually during the scene?
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__
What are the character consequences at the end of the scene and how will
you show that consequence to the reader?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Using the movie mode technique, setting, and time of day from your scene
summary above, place yourself in the eyes of your POV character as the
scene begins, climaxes, and ends. What elements of setting should you
include to make your scene realistic?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Using the movie mode technique and setting element list above, show how
your POV character interacted with the setting by including the 5 senses.
(taste, sight, touch, smell, and hearing)
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Where can you incorporate the POV character flaw to this scene?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
How did this scene move the plot forward?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Keeping it simple, summarize your entire scene and include all of the above.
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Dialogue Scene
Note: Scene creation is a process, just as story creation is a process. The
document before you is that process. It’s designed to help you build a scene using a series of steps from basic synopsis to comprehensive scene summary and when tied together with other scene types, a complete novel outline.
Many scene types have the same questions, but not all the same answer. Take your time with these questions because your answers will not be the same as they were in previous scene types. Character arch’s progress. Plots progress. Each scene in a story contains similar progressions and therefore the same questions must be asked of each scene. The questions can become repetitive, but they are necessary.
Definition of a dialogue scene: Kind of an easy one to explain. A dialogue scene is a conversation between one or more people.
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Scene Summary: Summarize your scene using the following guide.
One Sentence Synopsis: (include beginning, middle, and end)
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Character(s) Involved:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Setting:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Time of day:
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Scene Opening:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Scene Climax:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Scene ending:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Movie mode is a technique used by many authors. Prior to building a scene,
some authors let the scene unfold in their mind as though they are watching a
movie. Consider trying this technique prior to finalizing your scene. You’ll be
surprised on what you may visualize.
Include the following elements as you brainstorm your scene:
• Setting, setting, and setting: In any dialogue scene, you must first, before
anything else of substance, provide your reader with enough imagery to
develop a mental picture of the setting. Do not skimp. There is nothing
worse for a reader to have two characters in an important conversation and
not have a stinking clue as to where the conversation is taking place.
• Personality Traits (Character arch progression): If there is ever a time to
progress a character’s arch in a scene, this is it. Depending on where this
dialogue scene takes place in your novel, you have the opportunity through
dialogue to reveal more about your characters and progress their individual
story plot. Take the time in each dialogue scene to do just that.
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Case in point: “You think I’m funny? Funny how, like a clown, I amuse
you?” If you’re familiar with these words, then you’ve watched the 1990
Hit Movie “Goodfellas”. In this scene, gangsters, Tommy (played by Joe
Pesci) and Henry (played by Ray Liotta) are in a dinner setting with several
other gangsters. Tommy is telling a story when he seems to get upset about
a comment made by Henry. Because Tommy is feared by many gangsters
including his close friends, Henry is left to try and defend himself and
apologize to Tommy. The entire scene is dialogue, and the writers used the
scene to progress the character arch of both Tommy and Henry. They
reiterated how dangerous Tommy is and how vulnerable Henry can be. It’s
magnificent character progression and dialogue all rolled up into one
unforgettable scene.
• Emotional Strain: See scene above from Goodfellas. The tension in the
middle of the scene is intense even years later. Although I’m completely
aware of what is going to happen in the movie, I’m tense every time.
Your dialogue scene should provide a level of emotional strain. This
tension could be internal or external. It could be a struggle verbally
between two characters or internal strain due to the content of the
dialogue.
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
• Plot progression: Do not use a dialogue scene as an info dump. Dialogue
scenes, just as every other scene in your novel, are used to progress the
plot.
Using all the elements above, craft your scene and your content within
the dialogue to propel the plot forward. By the end of your dialogue scene,
your POV character should have a new direction, revelation, or action.
Using the scene summary and movie mode technique results, answer the
following questions. This process will form your scene foundation. Just as a
building cannot stand without a solid foundation, nor can your scene.
POV Character:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
In what context was your POV character introduced? (what were they doing?)
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
What did the POV character need?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Who or what prevented the POV character from obtaining their need?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Are others character involved? (Do they have a need? List them.)
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
How did your POV character reach instinctually during the scene?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
What are the character consequences at the end of the scene and how will
you show that consequence to the reader?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Using the movie mode technique, setting, and time of day from your scene
summary above, place yourself in the eyes of your POV character as the
scene begins, climaxes, and ends. What elements of setting should you
include to make your scene realistic?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Using the movie mode technique and setting element list above, show how
your POV character interacted with the setting by including the 5 senses.
(taste, sight, touch, smell, and hearing)
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Where can you incorporate the POV character flaw to this scene?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
How did this scene move the plot forward?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Keeping it simple, summarize your entire scene and include all of the above.
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Contemplative Scene
Note: Scene creation is a process, just as story creation is a process. The
document before you is that process. It’s designed to help you build a scene using a series of steps from basic synopsis to comprehensive scene summary and when tied together with other scene types, a complete novel outline.
Many scene types have the same questions, but not all the same answer. Take your time with these questions because your answers will not be the same as they were in previous scene types. Character arch’s progress. Plots progress. Each scene in a story contains similar progressions and therefore the same questions must be asked of each scene. The questions can become repetitive, but they are necessary.
Definition of a contemplative scene: A scene where the POV character is focused on deep reflective thought. Characters could be reflecting on a previous plot point or a potential situation that has yet to occur. The scene could be positive or negative in nature depending on your POV character for that scene. Contemplative scenes are often preceded by action scenes. They are to be used sparingly in your novel.
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Scene Summary: Summarize your scene using the following guide.
One Sentence Synopsis: (include beginning, middle, and end)
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Character(s) Involved:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Setting:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Time of day:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Scene Opening:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Scene Climax:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Scene ending:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Movie mode is a technique used by many authors. Prior to building a scene,
some authors let the scene unfold in their mind as though they are watching a
movie. Consider trying this technique prior to finalizing your scene. You’ll be
surprised on what you may visualize.
Include the following elements as you brainstorm your scene:
• Transitional setting: A transitional setting is a setting in which the POV
character is constantly in movement. This could be by car, foot, bicycle,
whatever, but make your POV character in motion.
• Intimacy: Intimate settings do well with a contemplative scene. A quite car
ride, library, café, whatever setting you have available that a reader could
take a deep breath.
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
• Push/Pull: Contemplative scenes glorify the push/pull scenario. Push/pull
can be the POV character struggling with a previous or upcoming plot
point, or the struggle between two or more characters.
For example: In the 2012 HBO miniseries, True Detective, characters Rust
Cohle and Martin Hart played by Mathew McConoughy and Woody
Harrelson are in a vehicle traveling from one location to another. This
contemplative scene is loaded with push/pull between the two characters
and their incredible differences about life and faith, plus the events from a
previous scene.
• Mirror Scene Content: Imagery plays a big part in a contemplative scene. If
the content in your scene is emotional, tie the setting into that content.
Think rain, thunderstorms, dusty places, crowds, sparse locations, darkness,
etc.
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Using the scene summary and movie mode technique results, answer the
following questions. This process will form your scene foundation. Just as a
building cannot stand without a solid foundation, nor can your scene.
POV Character:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
In what context was your POV character introduced? (what were they doing?)
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
What did the POV character need?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Who or what prevented the POV character from obtaining their need?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Are others character involved? (Do they have a need? List them.)
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
How did your POV character reach instinctually during the scene?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
What are the character consequences at the end of the scene and how will
you show that consequence to the reader?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Using the movie mode technique, setting, and time of day from your scene
summary above, place yourself in the eyes of your POV character as the
scene begins, climaxes, and ends. What elements of setting should you
include to make your scene realistic?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Using the movie mode technique and setting element list above, show how
your POV character interacted with the setting by including the 5 senses.
(taste, sight, touch, smell, and hearing)
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Where can you incorporate the POV character flaw to this scene?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
How did this scene move the plot forward?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Keeping it simple, summarize your entire scene and include all of the above.
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Epiphany Scene
Note: Scene creation is a process, just as story creation is a process. The
document before you is that process. It’s designed to help you build a scene using a series of steps from basic synopsis to comprehensive scene summary and when tied together with other scene types, a complete novel outline.
Many scene types have the same questions, but not all the same answer. Take your time with these questions because your answers will not be the same as they were in previous scene types. Character arch’s progress. Plots progress. Each scene in a story contains similar progressions and therefore the same questions must be asked of each scene. The questions can become repetitive, but they are necessary.
Definition of an epiphany scene: An epiphany is a sudden perception or insight into the meaning of something, usually initiated by a commonplace occurrence. So, an epiphany scene usually includes the POV character, typically the protagonist and is used to progress a plot.
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Scene Summary: Summarize your scene using the following guide.
One Sentence Synopsis: (include beginning, middle, and end)
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Character(s) Involved:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Setting:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Time of day:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Scene Opening:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Scene Climax:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Scene ending:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Movie mode is a technique used by many authors. Prior to building a scene,
some authors let the scene unfold in their mind as though they are watching a
movie. Consider trying this technique prior to finalizing your scene. You’ll be
surprised on what you may visualize.
Include the following elements as you brainstorm your scene:
• Tension and Anxiety Setup: For an epiphany scene to work really well, you
must create emotions that mirror the epiphany to come.
For example: In the 1995 movie, “Clueless” Cher, played by Alicia
Silverstone, is alone and distraught due to past events in the movie. What
the audience doesn’t know at this point, is the writers are setting up Cher
and the audience for an epiphany.
• Result of plot events: Continuing with the Clueless example, Cher who is
distraught, begins to recall several situations where things didn’t exactly go
as planned. To add insult to injury the decisions she has made, have taken
a turn for the worse. The writers are using the results of the previous plot
events to set up the audience for the coming epiphany.
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• Surprise the POV: Your POV character should be surprised by the epiphany.
They should not see it coming.
• Baggage or Cost: Your POV character having just had an epiphany should
almost immediately realize the epiphany comes with baggage or cost.
For example: Cher realizes she loves Josh, however now the cost is she
doesn’t know how to act around him. She is uncomfortable and
nervous when he is around. Your character should have some baggage
or a cost as well.
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Using the scene summary and movie mode technique results, answer the
following questions. This process will form your scene foundation. Just as a
building cannot stand without a solid foundation, nor can your scene.
POV Character:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
In what context was your POV character introduced? (what were they doing?)
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
What did the POV character need?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Who or what prevented the POV character from obtaining their need?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Are others character involved? (Do they have a need? List them.)
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
How did your POV character reach instinctually during the scene?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
What are the character consequences at the end of the scene and how will
you show that consequence to the reader?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Using the movie mode technique, setting, and time of day from your scene
summary above, place yourself in the eyes of your POV character as the
scene begins, climaxes, and ends. What elements of setting should you
include to make your scene realistic?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Using the movie mode technique and setting element list above, show how
your POV character interacted with the setting by including the 5 senses.
(taste, sight, touch, smell, and hearing)
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Where can you incorporate the POV character flaw to this scene?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
How did this scene move the plot forward?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Keeping it simple, summarize your entire scene and include all of the above.
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Dramatic Scene
Note: Scene creation is a process, just as story creation is a process. The
document before you is that process. It’s designed to help you build a scene using a series of steps from basic synopsis to comprehensive scene summary and when tied together with other scene types, a complete novel outline.
Many scene types have the same questions, but not all the same answer. Take your time with these questions because your answers will not be the same as they were in previous scene types. Character arch’s progress. Plots progress. Each scene in a story contains similar progressions and therefore the same questions must be asked of each scene. The questions can become repetitive, but they are necessary.
Definition of a dramatic scene: A scene in a novel or movie that opens slowly, increases in emotional complications, confrontation, decision, and push and pull, and ends with a significant decision or new direction furthering the plot.
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Scene Summary: Summarize your scene using the following guide.
One Sentence Synopsis: (include beginning, middle, and end)
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Character(s) Involved:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Setting:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Time of day:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Scene Opening:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Scene Climax:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Scene ending:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Movie mode is a technique used by many authors. Prior to building a scene,
some authors let the scene unfold in their mind as though they are watching a
movie. Consider trying this technique prior to finalizing your scene. You’ll be
surprised on what you may visualize.
Include the following elements as you brainstorm your scene:
• Open Slow: A dramatic scene usually opens slow. Picture a dramatic scene
as you would an entire novel story arch. The story begins, tension increases
to the climax, and the denouement is the new direction. Dramatic scenes
are very similar. They start slow to set the stage for the rise in action or
confrontation.
• Dramatic Elements: A drama scene does not have to include confrontation.
It may be a scene of reunion, apprehension, time or fear. But, it must
contain at least one emotional output.
• Increased intensity: Similar to a dialogue scene, a dramatic scene will have
increased intensity and immense push and pull. To pull off a dramatic
scene, a reader must become encapsulated into the scene evoking
emotion. Increasing the intensity is an important phase in the process.
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
• Decision Time: Near the end of the scene, the POV character must be left
with having to make a decision.
For example: In the 2016 film Hacksaw Ridge, actor Andrew Garfield
plays Army Corporal Desmond Doss, a soldier who refuses to use a gun in
World War II. Based on a true story, in a heroic and very dramatic scene, a
normal conversation between two soldiers quickly turns into a life or death
situation as the Japanese launch a fierce attack. Despite not having or using
a weapon to defend himself, Doss does the unthinkable and stays in the
fight by rescuing the injured. At one point in the scene, Doss is the only
able bodied allied soldier still remaining on the hill and has a difficult
decision to make. Stay and save more wounded, or leave and live for
another day.
• End slow: Begin slow, end slow. If you did your job correctly, your readers
are heavily vested in the scene and are likely needing a break from the
drama. Give it to them at the end of the dramatic scene. Your character has
made a decision, now it’s time to reflect on that decision or take a dramatic
pause and provide some exposition for the reader to cool things down a
bit.
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Using the scene summary and movie mode technique results, answer the
following questions. This process will form your scene foundation. Just as a
building cannot stand without a solid foundation, nor can your scene.
POV Character:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
In what context was your POV character introduced? (what were they doing?)
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
What did the POV character need?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Who or what prevented the POV character from obtaining their need?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Are others character involved? (Do they have a need? List them.)
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
How did your POV character reach instinctually during the scene?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
What are the character consequences at the end of the scene and how will
you show that consequence to the reader?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Using the movie mode technique, setting, and time of day from your scene
summary above, place yourself in the eyes of your POV character as the
scene begins, climaxes, and ends. What elements of setting should you
include to make your scene realistic?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Using the movie mode technique and setting element list above, show how
your POV character interacted with the setting by including the 5 senses.
(taste, sight, touch, smell, and hearing)
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Where can you incorporate the POV character flaw to this scene?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
How did this scene move the plot forward?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Keeping it simple, summarize your entire scene and include all of the above.
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Where can you incorporate the POV character flaw to this scene?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
How did this scene move the plot forward?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Keeping it simple, summarize your entire scene and include all of the above.
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Climactic Scene
Note: Scene creation is a process, just as story creation is a process. The
document before you is that process. It’s designed to help you build a scene using a series of steps from basic synopsis to comprehensive scene summary and when tied together with other scene types, a complete novel outline.
Many scene types have the same questions, but not all the same answer. Take your time with these questions because your answers will not be the same as they were in previous scene types. Character arch’s progress. Plots progress. Each scene in a story contains similar progressions and therefore the same questions must be asked of each scene. The questions can become repetitive, but they are necessary.
Definition of a climactic scene: The grand finale- the highest peak of intensity or suspense after a series of events in your scene. This does not have to be the climax to your story, although you’ll need one. This can be a climactic scene within the interior of your story. This scene type could be best used immediately after an action or suspense scene.
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Scene Summary: Summarize your scene using the following guide.
One Sentence Synopsis: (include beginning, middle, and end)
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Character(s) Involved:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Setting:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Time of day:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Scene Opening:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Scene Climax:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Scene ending:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Movie mode is a technique used by many authors. Prior to building a scene,
some authors let the scene unfold in their mind as though they are watching a
movie. Consider trying this technique prior to finalizing your scene. You’ll be
surprised on what you may visualize.
Include the following elements as you brainstorm your scene:
• Highest stakes: The stakes in a scene are never higher than this scene. The
buildup between good and evil is at a boiling point. At this point of the
novel, it’s likely your protagonist and antagonist are squaring off for one
epic battle. To be believable to your audience, the stakes for the protagonist
have to be at their highest level.
For example: The 1992 hit movie “A Few Good Men”. Lt. Daniel Kaffee
and his team are facing off in court with Col. Nathan Jessup who Kaffee
believes ordered a “code red” that resulted in a Marines death. The
problem is Kaffee cannot accuse a highly decorated soldier like Col. Jessup
of an action like ordering a “code red” without the risk of being disbarred
from practicing law and likely dishonorably discharged from the Navy
(highest stake). During the scene the stakes are at their highest as Lt. Kaffee
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
is forced to either end his line of questioning, or actively accuse Col. Jessup
of ordering the “code red” risking his entire career.
• Intensity: Insert “duh” moment here. This is a climactic scene. Stakes within
the scene should be at the highest point.
For example: The 1995 movie “Apollo13” has one of the best climactic
scenes in the movies. The re-entry scene is where the astronauts are
knowingly going to experience a communications blackout of a couple
minutes where all the world watching will have to wait to see if they re-
enter the Earth’s atmosphere successfully, or burn up. For two minutes, the
scene intensity increases as the audience waits until finally the outcome is
presented.
Take time with your climactic scenes. Have you met the level of highest
peak of intensity or suspense?
• Internal Conflict Resolved (Character arc progression): In the 1999 movie
“Big Daddy” lead actor and protagonist Adam Sandler plays Sonny Koufax,
an early thirties bachelor who takes no responsibility for anything
whatsoever, and is rather childish. Sonny does whatever whenever and has
not a care in the world. Enter Julian. Julian is the illegitimate son of Sonny’s
brother who is out of the country on business and is basically dropped at
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Sonny’s door. As the movie continues, Sonny’s flaw is of course that he is
not responsible, and is now faced with taking care of a young boy. By the
end of the movie, Sonny is no longer irresponsible but has actually
changed his life around and fights the court system (antagonist) to keep the
boy. Sonny has effectively overcome his flaw and used that to fight and
defeat the antagonist (court system).
Your character must resolve their flaw by the end of the story and use
that against the antagonist.
• Quick pace with no exposition: The time for explanation is long over in a
climactic scene. Everything that needed to be explained has been
explained and the audience is left with highest stakes, intensity, and a
quick pace.
• A hand is raised: There has to be a clear winner. Emphasis on “clear”. The
climactic scene must finish with a winner – protagonist or antagonist – and
the audience should not be left guessing on who or what that is.
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Using the scene summary and movie mode technique results, answer the
following questions. This process will form your scene foundation. Just as a
building cannot stand without a solid foundation, nor can your scene.
POV Character:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
In what context was your POV character introduced? (what were they doing?)
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
What did the POV character need?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Who or what prevented the POV character from obtaining their need?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Are others character involved? (Do they have a need? List them.)
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
How did your POV character reach instinctually during the scene?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
What are the character consequences at the end of the scene and how will
you show that consequence to the reader?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Using the movie mode technique, setting, and time of day from your scene
summary above, place yourself in the eyes of your POV character as the
scene begins, climaxes, and ends. What elements of setting should you
include to make your scene realistic?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Using the movie mode technique and setting element list above, show how
your POV character interacted with the setting by including the 5 senses.
(taste, sight, touch, smell, and hearing)
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Where can you incorporate the POV character flaw to this scene?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
How did this scene move the plot forward?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Keeping it simple, summarize your entire scene and include all of the above.
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Final Scene
Note: Scene creation is a process, just as story creation is a process. The
document before you is that process. It’s designed to help you build a scene using a series of steps from basic synopsis to comprehensive scene summary and when tied together with other scene types, a complete novel outline.
Many scene types have the same questions, but not all the same answer. Take your time with these questions because your answers will not be the same as they were in previous scene types. Character arch’s progress. Plots progress. Each scene in a story contains similar progressions and therefore the same questions must be asked of each scene. The questions can become repetitive, but they are necessary.
Definition of a final scene: Kind of a no brainer. It’s the final scene in the novel after the climax. This scene is often referred to as the resolution or denouement.
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Scene Summary: Summarize your scene using the following guide.
One Sentence Synopsis: (include beginning, middle, and end)
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Character(s) Involved:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Setting:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Time of day:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Scene Opening:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Scene Climax:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
©2017 FictionFormula.com All Rights Reserved.
Scene ending:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
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Movie mode is a technique used by many authors. Prior to building a scene,
some authors let the scene unfold in their mind as though they are watching a
movie. Consider trying this technique prior to finalizing your scene. You’ll be
surprised on what you may visualize.
Include the following elements as you brainstorm your scene:
• Character flaw: The limitation, imperfection, or problem you created with
your character must be healed or on the road to recovery in the final scene
of your novel.
For example: 1983 Return of the Jedi. The villain Darth Vader’s
character flaw is greed and power. At the end of Return of the Jedi, Darth is
electrocuted as he throws his master into the abyss. A scene later, Darth
asks Luke to take his mask off and tells his son, he was right all along.
Darth’s character flaw and arch was complete.
• Subplots resolved: Every great novel has one or two subplots. Each of these
subplots must be resolved or on the road to resolution in the final scene.
For example: One such subplot in Return of the Jedi was the love hate
relationship between Han Solo, Luke, and Princess Leia. Han, who has
feelings for Leia, thought he was in competition for her affection
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throughout the movie. In the end of the movie, Han finds out Luke and
Leia are brother and sister and Leia cares for Han intimately. This
subplot is resolved when Leia kisses Han.
• Happy ending: Happy ending or not, an emotional resolution must happen
for the sake of the reader. It’s not enough to have a character flaw and
subplot resolution. Your reader has stuck with you through the entire story
and now it’s time to let them off with an emotional conclusion.
For example: Sticking with our Return of the Jedi theme, the very last
scene of the movie is where the entire light side of the force is gathered to
celebrate their victory over the dark side. Han, Chewy, and Luke all
receive metals celebrating their heroics. This ending provides an emotional
conclusion for the audience.
• Theme: Each story has a theme that is alluded to throughout the story. The
ending in a story is no different. To cap off an emotional ride for the reader,
a writer must capture the theme one more time in the final scene. Be sure
to include theme in the end of your story.
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Using the scene summary and movie mode technique results, answer the
following questions. This process will form your scene foundation. Just as a
building cannot stand without a solid foundation, nor can your scene.
POV Character:
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In what context was your POV character introduced? (what were they doing?)
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What did the POV character need?
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Who or what prevented the POV character from obtaining their need?
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Are others character involved? (Do they have a need? List them.)
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How did your POV character reach instinctually during the scene?
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What are the character consequences at the end of the scene and how will
you show that consequence to the reader?
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Using the movie mode technique, setting, and time of day from your scene
summary above, place yourself in the eyes of your POV character as the
scene begins, climaxes, and ends. What elements of setting should you
include to make your scene realistic?
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Using the movie mode technique and setting element list above, show how
your POV character interacted with the setting by including the 5 senses.
(taste, sight, touch, smell, and hearing)
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Where can you incorporate the POV character flaw to this scene?
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How did this scene move the plot forward?
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Keeping it simple, summarize your entire scene and include all of the above.
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