While most structure guides and tools focus on the structure of the entire novel and story, this is the only structure I’ve found that narrows in on the scene or chapter.
The scene-sequel method is a six part structure that walks you through how to write a compelling and attention grabbing scene that both serves the plot and character development and arcs.
Here’s the rundown:
SCENE
Scene is pretty self-explanatory — this is where the action unfolds in real-time. Each scene should have a clear purpose, whether it's advancing the plot, developing characters, or building tension.
The scene section consists of three main elements:
1: Goal: Your character begins with a mini goal to achieve that chapter.
2: Conflict: The character faces conflicts while trying to achieve said goal.
3: Disaster: The scene ends with a disaster of some kind — the item is not where they thought it would be, a side character turns out to be a traitor, the car breaks down, etc.
Pretty much just write the scene as you normally would.
SEQUEL
The sequel is, to me, the tricker part of this method. This part delves into reflection, emotion, and decision-making and offers a moment of respite amid the action.
Like scenes, it also has three main elements:
1. Reaction: How do characters respond emotionally and physically to the events of the previous scene?
2. Dilemma: What choices and challenges do characters face as a result of the scene's outcome?
3. Decision: What actions do characters take to address the dilemma and move the story forward?
How to balance scene and sequel
While scenes propel the plot and engage readers with action, sequels offer moments of reflection and emotional depth, allowing characters to evolve and readers to connect on a deeper level.
The tricky part with sequel comes with how much do you dive into the emotional part? In action pack thrillers, a long sequel will kill the pacing, but in a romance, a short sequel may be unsatisfying. Ultimately, it comes down to your genre and the vibe of your story. Sequels can be as short as one sentence per item or as long as an entire chapter. It only matters that it fits the pacing and narrative expectations of your story.
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