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Tips on Scene & Structure

Have you been writing that novel for some time now and just not sure how to set up your scene and structure? Here are some tips on outlining each chapter & scene, so you don't get overwhelmed in the excitement of it all and so your readers easily understand it. No matter what your story is about and what type of story it is, this outline usually works as a guide, I have found, where you can fit your characters into where they should be in your novel. The rest is up to you!

Prologue Description (1 Scene) -What should be in a Prologue?

Some people choose to use the Prologue. If you do, the threat or aura of violence must be very high. Drama or Romance of a high level will work as well. It should be about 4-5 Manuscript pages. In the beginning, ask who's involved, what has happened & how bad things will become. Think of it as a juggler throwing a ball into the air. The Prologue isn't told from the Hero's viewpoint. It usually takes place before the main start of the story. Hook your reader from the start.

Chapter One Description (3 Scenes) -What should be in the first chapter?

Chapter One establishes the Hero's viewpoint. A significant change happens. Scare the Hero. Start it quick & hook your reader. Another character confronts the Hero. There is an unseen disaster. The Hero has a long-term primary story goal or short-term story goal that will link into a few chapters and worsen. At least 2-3 balls should go up into the air. It takes place sometime after the Prologue.

Chapter Two Description (4 Scenes) -Introducing the Villain!

Chapter Two is from the Villain viewpoint. They should be aggressive, dynamic and strongly motivated against the Hero. They will be well into the first steps of their plan, powerful and ruthless. The goal is revealed or hinted at here—another ball into the air. The time-lapse is close to the previous chapter.

Chapter Three Description (3 Scenes) -Introducing other main characters.

Chapter Three is from the Hero's viewpoint, and it deals with the issue of chapter One. The Hero comes into contact with 2-3 supporting characters; the Best Friend, the Romantic Lead and the Minor Villain. They each have a small story of their own, and they represent a small 'ball' going up into the air. A scene or extended sequel establishes Hero's background and further shows dedication to their main story goal. Painfully alter the Hero's original plans. There will be a short-term goal they have to complete before continuing their central goal. The Romantic Lead question is planted. It ends at the sequel, with Hero is in motion to the next big scene. The time-lapse close to the previous chapter.

Chapter Four Description (7 Scenes) -Start the sub-plot/Raise a shocker question!

Chapter Four should switch viewpoints from one or more of the secondary characters. Hours or days should elapse between this chapter and the last chapter, and the time should lapse in the scenes as well. Then establish secondary characters and their roles. Intensify your readers' interest in the goals of secondary characters. Start the sub-plot here. One or more of the secondary characters should talk about the Hero, Villain, situation or all 3. Higher stakes than earlier realized. This chapter ends in disaster, and there should be a startling new development involving the Hero's fate. The tragedy is another short-term ball in the air. Then raise a shocker question. It's a revelation of a problem, complication, issue or raising the story stakes. Something unexpected. The story needs a boost here.

Chapter Five Description (4 Scenes) -Raise sub-plot question/Set a ticking clock.

Chapter Five should be from the Hero's viewpoint. Show struggle with the shocker question, and help the secondary character solve it. When that's done, it's back to the original quest, investigation or trip. Raise a new sub-plot story question. Here's another ball. This ball will come down in chapter 8. The Hero sets a short-term clicking clock here, a time limit. The period between now and chapter 8 must be brief: maybe hours, or a day or 2.

Chapter Six Description (4 Scenes) -Romance at a glance.

Chapter Six should be 2-3 Scenes in the Romantic Lead viewpoint, as he pursues his own goal or tries to help the Hero. The sequel here defines background and personality. False clue, wrong lead or character who seems suspicious but is innocent. 1 Scene in Villain viewpoint, as he is getting wind of the Romantic Leads plan of action or the Hero's 3 chapter quest. Villain counter-moves. Tantalize the reader psychologically. Draw out the time the reader gets to read about the Hero's quest.

Chapter Seven Description (3 Scenes) -Three chapter quest.

Chapter Seven should be from the Hero's viewpoint. Deep in their 3 chapter quest. The 1st leads them closer to a confrontation with the Villain. The 2nd is momentarily delaying or complicating the situation. The 3rd is bringing them into a conflict with the Villain or their minion. Something physical happens, a car chase or even an attack on the Hero's life. Here is the first big peek into the book. It should end with a new disaster that leaves no time for a sequel or at some turning-point in the middle of the ongoing scene. This chapter hooks instantly to the next one.

Chapter Eight Description (2 Scenes) -Villain gets the upper hand!

In Chapter Eight, Chapter Seven's climactic scene continues. Still from the Hero's viewpoint. The Villain pulls an unexpected trick, giving them the upper hand, and it causes the Hero to end their 3 chapter quest with total defeat. A brief sequel scene, if needed, where the Hero narrowly escapes or wins but doesn't accomplish their Three chapter goal entirely. The chapter ends with Romantic Lead or Best Friend there to help them. Hint at stronger attraction here. Re-emphasize the ongoing romantic sub-plot question. Hint at the possibility of a relationship, which tosses another ball into the air.

Chapter Nine Description (7 Scenes)-The Villain experiences a disaster!

Mostly Villain's viewpoint. Sequel showing his reaction, feelings, thoughts about the end of Chapter Eight. Also, in his way, he experienced his disaster. A setback, so he lays new plans. Does he again prove that he is the Villain by doing something terrible to someone else, possibly one of his men to blame? Chapter Four's secondary characters sub-plot continued in their viewpoint, then drop it off at another disaster. At the end of the chapter, the Villain moves into a new scene with a new goal, which may or may not be stated, and raises a Villain-plot question, which is another ball.

Chapter Ten Description (5 Scenes) -Re-evaluate everything/Romance is everything!

Chapter Ten is mostly from the Hero's viewpoint, and possibly one Romantic Lead viewpoint. The Hero re-evaluates, heals up, collects new information. They re-examine everything that has happened and their motives. Then they ask themselves why they just don't resign? They need an answer for their motivation. The main Story goal is restated here but in a different light. The romantic sub-plot question becomes stronger here. A first sexual encounter should happen here and an after-sex sequel to review the plot and consider plans. Will they end up together must not be answered until much later. In the end, the Hero is committed and moves toward new action. All of the balls should come down by the end. The middle of any story is like a story within a story.

Chapter Eleven Description (5 Scenes) -Another ticking clock/Hero plans thwarted.

Chapter Eleven is all in the Hero viewpoint. They set out on the course of action from Chapter Ten and are immediately thwarted. They run into an intense, fast-paced, action-oriented sequence of events. Each scene shows the Hero's plans, ending in disaster. Some other scenes may be contact scenes, where one location will run into another one. Another clicking clock is started here. The chapter ends with a robust immediate action hook.

Chapter Twelve Description (3 Scenes) -A small part of the story is solved/Hero is in disaster!

Chapter Twelve continues with little or no time gap. The Villain gets the upper hand, and we see their plans or motives. A small part of the general story is solved, but the Hero cannot use it in action. At the end of the 3rd scene in this chapter, which is all in Hero's viewpoint, there is an even more terrible disaster, as the Hero's last ploy fails and they face ultimate disaster!

Chapter Thirteen Description (2 Scenes) -Ticking clock is up/Sub-plot return.

Chapter Thirteen is in the Romantic Lead viewpoint. It shows them trying to solve whatever sub-plot problem standing between them and the Hero. Disaster should end the scene. They try to help, but the ticking clock tells them it's too late. If there is a major sub-plot, return to that character's viewpoint for review, analysis and back story.

Chapter Fourteen Description (2 Scenes) -Action/ New clicking clock!

Chapter Fourteen is filled with significant action! The Hero momentarily gains some ground, but the Villain gets away to fight again. The chapter often ends in a sequel. Perhaps with the friends that tried to help. The Hero sees new information and takes a new course of action. There should be a difficulty with the Romantic Lead or Best Friend? Maybe the Hero is suspicious of them? The Hero is near wit's end and must start their final novel game plan. If a clock isn't ticking here, it should start here. The goal that will end the story is clearly in view now.

Chapter Fifteen Description (6 Scenes)-Romantic Lead in despair!

Chapter Fifteen is in all viewpoints except the Hero. They see the big picture and make new moves—the Romantic Lead in despair, and the Villain plans his new strategy after his disaster. The fake clue is cleared now and brings the sub-plot to a conclusion. Bring down some balls here. The novel is starting to end. The Romantic lead is thrown into grave peril, which puts up a short-term 'worry ball.

Chapter Sixteen Description(4 Scenes) -Prologue made clear/Hero helps Romantic Lead.

Chapter Sixteen should all be in the Hero's viewpoint. It should be a series of scenes where they try to crack the case, but it's thwarted each time. The Prologue is made clear at this point. Violence should occur at the end of scene 3, and the tables are turned in favour of the Villain. The Hero's friend comes to a bad end here, as well as the henchman for the Villain. The Hero learns of the Romantic Leads plight and rushes to help. There is an immediate hook at the end of this chapter.

Chapter Seventeen Description (4 Scenes) -Sub-plot answered/showdown is now!

Chapter Seventeen is from various viewpoints, including the Villain. The Romantic lead is freed. The sub-plot question is answered, but at the cost of putting the Hero on weaker ground. The Romantic Lead is left disillusioned and thinking the love story is over. At the end of the last scene, the Hero and the Villain are closing in on each other. Maybe face-to-face on a rooftop or in a courtroom? On the side of a mountain, or in a drawing-room or parking lot? The showdown is now!

Chapter Eighteen Description (1 Scene) -Confrontation/Ultimate disaster!

In Chapter Eighteen, the ultimate confrontation takes place. One long, exciting extended scene. If there is a back-story or a hidden agenda, it comes out now. All of the balls come down, and most of the secondary plot-line answered. The only ones left are this showdown. The Romance seems doomed. The Villain in this scene plays one last shocking move. It's the ultimate disaster for the Hero.

Chapter Nineteen Description (2 Scenes) -Biggest Fight!/Romance up in the air.

In Chapter Nineteen's 1st scene, the Villain, now with the upper hand, may offer the Hero a way out. Something illegal, immoral or unethical. There is a moral dilemma for the Hero, who must choose between the good (by readers definition) and lose everything. The Hero decides and re-opens the fight, which will be the biggest fight, struggle or chase. Pull out at every stop and top all that came before it. The scene should be filled with suspense, terror, violence. The Hero's scene ends well, unlike others. There should be victory over Villain, but this leaves Hero thinking, was it all worth it? Final question. Make the reader worry as you hook them into the last chapter. The Romantic story still up in the air.

Chapter Twenty Description (3 Scenes) -Tie up loose ends/Romantic sub-plot answered.

Chapter Twenty's Romantic story question lures the reader into the final chapter. From the Hero's viewpoint. Tie up all loose ends. The secondary characters who have a reasonably big part must be trotted onstage to show their feelings and condition at the end of the book. Bring closure to everything. Everything should become clear at this point. Romantic sub-plot is answered, with the best friend Witnessing. The answer to the central question of the entire book must be answered as well. There should be a sense of the story going on after the book is closed.

Epilogue Description (1 Scene) -Do I need an Epilogue?

One final scene where everything is put into place and the book comes to an end. Or does it? Not all books have an Epilogue, but if it does, it sometimes hints at a sequel to another book.

I hope this helps with writing your novel. The tools that I'd highly recommend would be: yWriter7 for organizing your novel into chapters and scenes & Miro for your timeline needs. Both are free! Happy writing and good luck!