Scene outline: [Scene title]

Chapter

POV character

Setting

Time

See an example scene

Chapter 7, scene 2. Ruth, on the ferry's upper deck at 11:55 p.m., twenty minutes out of Harwick.

What she wants: See who the harbourmaster meets on the crossing.
Why now: It's the last ferry before the island is cut off for the weekend.
Opposition: The deck is half empty, so she can't get close without being seen, and the deckhand keeps stopping to chat.

Turning point: The deckhand says, loud enough to carry, “You were at the inquest, weren't you?” The harbourmaster turns round.

Outcome: No, and… he meets no one, and now he knows her face.

Reaction: Fear, then anger at herself.
Dilemma: Get off on the island and be stranded with him, or stay on for the return crossing and lose him.
Decision: Get off and follow him anyway, which is the next scene's goal.

On the page: Diesel and wet rope; the ferry's engine under every line of dialogue; the cold rail through her gloves.

Who is in the scene

Character

Wants in this scene

Hides or doesn't know

The scene

Goal

Concrete enough that the reader can tell whether they got it.

  • What they want:

  • Why now:

  • Stakes:

Conflict

An active opponent, not just bad luck.

  • Opposition:

  • Attempts:

  • Escalation:

Turning point

A revelation, a reversal or a choice.

Outcome

“Yes, but…” or “no, and…” keeps the story moving.

  • Answer:

  • What happens:

  • Before and after:

Sequel

The decision becomes the next scene's goal.

  • Reaction:

  • Dilemma:

  • Decision:

On the page

The senses

Sight

Sound

Smell

Touch

Taste

Notes

  • Reveals:

  • Setups and payoffs:

  • Subtext:

  • To check: