Writing Tip: 5 Commandments of Scene and Beyond
Happy Tip Tuesday! Today, let's talk about crafting a well-structured scene, guided by the wisdom of Savannah Gilbo and Story Grid. They have outlined five commandments that serve as the building blocks of compelling narratives: the inciting incident, turning point, crisis moment, climax, and resolution. First, we’ll discuss this scene structure, and then we'll explore five additional considerations to elevate our scene crafting game. Once we’ve got those essential pieces down, it’s easier to start putting them together to create a truly amazing scene.
(First, a note: If the word commandments feels a bit too rigid, consider replacing it with something like “scene elements” or “pieces of scene”. While they really are essential for building a scene, there are no hard and fast laws here.)
The 5 Commandments
A SCENE MUST CONTAIN
Inciting Incident:
The inciting incident is the moment of disruption, the catalyst that propels characters into action. This incident sets the scene in motion, introducing a conflict, a mystery, or a new direction that demands attention.
Turning Point:
As our scene unfolds, there comes a turning point—a crucial moment where the narrative takes a significant shift. Characters face choices, dilemmas, or revelations that alter the course of the story. The turning point injects momentum and intrigue into the scene.
Crisis Moment:
Every scene needs a crisis moment—a point of no return where the conflict heads toward the climax. This crisis moment heightens tension and should be unavoidable, forcing the character into making a decision. Even indecision has major consequences here.
Climax:
This is where the conflict reaches its highest intensity, and characters confront the ultimate challenge. Whether it's a heated confrontation, a life-altering decision, or a revelation, the climax is the emotional crescendo.
Resolution:
As your scene draws to a close, there's the resolution—a satisfying moment where loose ends are tied, and the aftermath is revealed… good or bad. Characters may experience growth, reconciliation, loss, or closure, providing a sense of fulfillment for the reader.
Beyond the Commandments: Enhancing Your Scene Craft
Now that we know what the commandments are, let's add five more considerations to our scene crafting toolkit, guaranteed to bring that extra something to our writing.
Character Arcs:
Consider the evolution of the characters within the scene. How does the experience impact their beliefs, motivations, or relationships? Crafting scenes with dynamic character arcs adds depth and gives readers the pleasure of witnessing the growth and transformation of our protagonists. This is one of the most satisfying aspects of story for us as readers.
Atmosphere and Mood:
Set the tone with sensory descriptions, incorporating elements like weather, lighting, or background noises. We humans are sensual creatures in the literal sense of the word, so the right atmosphere immerses readers in the scene. We can really use sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell to our advantage here!
Symbolism:
Use symbolism to add layers of meaning. Symbolic elements can serve as subtle motifs, reinforcing themes or foreshadowing events. Thoughtfully incorporating symbols deepens the entire story because readers naturally want to uncover hidden connections within the scene, and it’s super satisfying when the author has left breadcrumbs along the way.
Foreshadowing:
Speaking of breadcrumbs… Use foreshadowing to tease upcoming events by planting subtle hints or clues. This creates anticipation and intrigue, making readers eager to keep reading. If you don’t write this into your first draft (many of us don’t), that’s okay! That’s what editing is for… Go back through and layer in these little hints later.
Internal Conflict:
Emotional struggles, doubts, or conflicting desires can add complexity to your scenes, even when external plot stuff might not be action-packed. Plus, internal conflict provides insight into the characters' inner worlds, which is what makes us connect with characters as readers.
These 5 commandments and 5 additional scene elements are just the tip of the iceberg, and there are lots of great resources out there for those of us looking to deepen our understanding of compelling storytelling at the scene level. But these 10 things (5 commandments and 5 additional elements) give us a solid foundation to build upon. Will a scene die without one of them? Maybe, maybe not. Probably not. But will a scene be elevated by their inclusion? Absolutely.
Happy writing!
