The majority of novels have a beginning, middle, and an end. Every scene should, too.
Each scene is a capsule that depicts a specific story event. That event relates to the
events in each of the other scenes, and when the writer strings all the scenes together,
s/he's got a book.
Each scene moves the plot and characters ever forward toward the story's resolution and
conclusion. When we discussed plot, we determined that to hold together and carry the
story weight, the plot had to contain specific elements. Well, a scene has to carry its
weight, too. Something essential to the whole (novel) must be in a scene to justify its
place (and space) in the novel. That justification is an earned right—each scene must
prove that including it is essential. Otherwise, in editing, it gets the ax.
Every scene needs an inciting incident, a spark that sets the scene in motion. Think of
this as the cause that incites an effect (remember, in plot, we worked from cause to
effect to cause to effect) that links the scenes to each other. (What happens in a scene
causes the next scene to happen, and so on.)
In each scene, the character has a goal and a strategy for reaching that goal. If the
character doesn't want anything, then the scene lacks purpose. If the character
doesn't have "a plan" (ill-conceived, halfcocked plans are fine; there must just
be some semblance of one which motivates the character to act) to get what s/he wants, and
there is no one trying to stop him/her from getting it, then you've got no scene
goal/strategy and worse, no conflict. If there is no conflict, you have no
story—applied to the scene, you'd have no scene.
Each scene has a resolution. Now the scene resolution might carry the character closer
to his/her goal, or push him/her further away from it. It also might cause the character
to change from one goal to another. The point is, there is a sense of closure, on having
gotten all we're able to get from this scene, and there is movement. Each scene resolves
(goes from beginning to middle to end), preparing the way for the next scene or the
story's conclusion.
An example of that change in goal would be if the character was motivated by a belief,
then in a scene, s/he learned that belief was false and something entirely different was
true. Something that changed the way the character viewed his/her goal. So the character
changes the goal to adapt to his/her new belief/truth.
That's a scene resolution, because based on what happened in the scene, it altered the
character. Change—physical change or a change of perspective—is growth, and we
all know that character growth is the means by which the character demonstrates and the
reader gauges that reading the book was worthwhile and all the struggles the character
endured were worthy of the time invested in them.
Do keep in mind that just because a scene is wonderfully written and lyrical and
pleasant to read doesn't mean you keep it in your novel. Every scene requires conflict.
Without it, the scene can't be justified. As I said (but it's worth repeating because it's
so important), every scene carries the burden and blessing of advancing the story. If it
doesn't, then it shouldn't be there.
Run a check on your scenes to make sure the elements are there. It's a great way to
tighten your writing—and to help bulletproof your manuscript.
