How To Craft A Perfect Scene For Your Story
When you come up with a new story to write, what is the first element you start with? Maybe the characters, maybe the setting, and almost certainly also the story.
However, when does the moment come when you start to create the scene? Read our guide to find out how to create a perfect scene.
What is a perfect scene?
A story consists of a set of scenes. Each scene represents an element in itself, which must be conclusive in its own way. The scene, with the fabula and the plot, are among the building blocks of a narrative.
You can divide any literary production into scenes (descriptive, dialogue, introductory, and so on).
Dividing the novel into scenes can help to draw up the outline of the work and accompany the author in both the writing and revision stages.
One can also decide to write the whole story in chronological order and then move some scenes earlier or later, thus creating more movement in the narrative rhythm.
Be careful, however, not to write superfluous scenes. These not only disperse the rhythm of the narrative but also risk confusing and boring the reader.
How to create a perfect scene: suggestions
There are 8 different steps to create a perfect scene. Here is the list:
- Purpose
- Climax
- Conflict
- Change
- Point of view
- Structure
- Beginning and End
- Details
Let’s now see every single step in detail:
Purpose: Everything must hinge on the concept of action-process-decision-new action. Reflecting on this concept is what we unconsciously do in our daily lives. It is, therefore, important that each scene captures this concept, even if only with a few lines.
The purpose of the scene is then crucial because it shows what the author wants to express. If the intention is to show a part of the character of the protagonist, this is the right time to devote a space to him and think that the purpose of the scene is just that.
Climax: A scene must have a peak moment, a moment of maximum tension. We speak of climax in narration. It is the moment in which the scene reveals its true intention.
Conflict: Each scene must convey tension to the reader to capture his attention and keep him glued to the book. Writing about conflict is the key. The author can think of a conflict between two characters or an inner conflict of the protagonist. As long as one understands what is at stake.
Change: The characters change in the course of the narrative. They learn, face situations that challenge them, and change their attitudes. Another characteristic of a perfect scene is to show character change.
Point of view: A scene can be seen from the point of view of the reader, another character, the author themself, or the character experiencing the described scene. This is generally referred to as the point of view. This step is to be defined while thinking about the first step, that of the purpose of the scene.
Structure: Every single scene consists of a structure. If the author starts describing the scene from an accurate but too long description of the environment, there is a risk of losing the reader’s attention and some basic elements of the scene (such as the climax).
A good suggestion is to start from the middle of the scene or from the end, creating a reversal of events.
Beginning and End: We have said how important it is to start a scene well. Equally crucial is the conclusion. A scene must conclude and have an end so that it is not left hanging. If it ends with a special event or a punchline, even better.
Details: Now that we have sketched the scene, we need to spice it up with details. A scene without any description, without details, would be bare. So think of meaningful details that can enrich the scene.
This is the squalid, or moving, part of the story, and the scene changes. The people change, too. I’m still around, but from here on in, for reasons I’m not at liberty to disclose, I’ve disguised myself so cunningly that even the cleverest reader will fail to recognize me.
J.D. Salinger, Nine Stories
Need some help to craft a perfect scene for your story? There’s bibisco!
Have you read the list above to create a perfect scene but are afraid of getting lost in some detail? No fear! bibisco comes with this innovative writing software that helps you keep track of everything. You can enter your characters, their physical and character traits.
You can write the scenes, insert the objects of your story, decide the chronology of events.
With bibisco you will not miss a thing and you will have a valuable helper when writing your narrative.
Conclusions
Scene construction is fundamental to the structure of the narrative. It is not something that can be easily invented but there are elements that must be taken into account.
In this guide you learn how to craft a perfect scene for your story.
