How to build a scene
A scene plan: goal, conflict, beats and exit.
Is your scene structured? Write it, and the rest of the book, with Makebook.
Write my novel with MakebookThe guide
A scene is the building block of your novel. If it changes nothing, cut it. For it to count, define the character's goal, the obstacle opposing it and what tips at the end.
The generated outline splits the scene into key moments so you can write without getting lost. The exit matters as much as the entrance: it should make people want to keep going.
Cut scenes as soon as the conflict fades: come in late, leave early.
Frequently asked questions
What makes a successful scene?
A character wants something, meets an obstacle and leaves the scene changed or facing a new difficulty.
What is a beat?
It's a moment in the scene where something changes: a decision, a revelation, a reaction.
How many scenes are in a novel?
It varies, often between forty and a hundred. Each one must have a reason to exist.