And Why it’s Good to Have Them

What’s a scene list and should I make one?

A scene list is basically a short synopsis of each scene in your story that you organize in some way, such as on a spreadsheet. I like to use different colored index cards. I can shuffle them around where I want and take them to a poster board (plot board) as I go along, creating an outline of the novel.

And yes, you should make one, but the good news is that you don’t have to do it a certain way. Whatever works best for you is perfect. If you type “novel scene list” into Google, then click on images, you can see examples that other authors use, such as JK Rowling. She uses a grid style.

I don’t like doing it that way for no other reason other than it just doesn’t work for me. I don’t find it easy to do that way.

For an example of the style I use to create my novels, refer to my blog post: https://thetimeiswrite.com/step-5-how-to-make-a-plot-board/

No matter which style you decide to use, if you make sure to follow the checklist below, each of your scenes will have all the necessary elements of a fantastic, complete scene your readers will love. By making sure each scene contains certain elements, your scenes won’t be lacking what’s necessary for a balanced, well-paced story.

Checklist for Each Scene:

1. Characters involved: Decide which of your characters will be carrying out this particular scene.
2. Setting (mood): Make sure the scene’s setting, pacing, and mood fit what’s occurring in the scene. If it’s an ominous, depressed scene for example, a bright sunny day might not be the best choice to fit what’s going on.
3. Pacing Style: Just as in choosing your setting and mood, the pacing of your scene is also important. If you have a scene where maybe your character is out at night, walking nervously down an alley, thinking she’s being followed and in danger, the wording you choose should match that action. You would use quick, fast-paced words and action. But remember, if you have a scene or two like this in a row, in your next scene or two you should slow the pacing down. Balance is key. The reader needs a break in the action to absorb what’s been happening.
4. Character’s goals: Each scene you write should have a purpose and a goal. Everything you write should drive your plot forward. Knowing that, just as your scene should have a goal, so should your character. After all, your character is what drives your scene. Make sure they set out to accomplish something at the beginning of each scene. Their goals can be small, but they definitely need to keep advancing your story.

Your Character Needs to:

• solve a dilemma
• get them closer to a solution to an issue
• gain them some more information toward what they’re after
• figure something out

You can always put more obstacles in their path along the way via an antagonist. But they should still have a goal at the beginning of each scene and at least have inched closer to it by scene’s end.

5. Outcome: Numbers 4 & 5 go hand in hand as you read in #4. The outcome of the scene can be positive or negative, but there should still be an outcome. The story can’t stall. If you keep in mind the previous steps, you’ll have the necessary components of a well-balance, complete scene, and you’ll hopefully have what every writer wants, readers who keep turning pages.

I hope this gives you a better idea of how to write dynamic scenes that keep the reader coming back for more.

Happy Writing!