Plotting is a skill that every storyteller must master. It isn’t merely an option; it’s the one ability that lets you eliminate the monotony your story may create. A well-planned and executed scene is what makes readers want to continue reading.
Plotting is the meticulous art of crafting the sequence of events in your story to drive the narrative forward. It involves mapping out the various incidents, conflicts, and resolutions your characters encounter.
It ensures that every scene has a clear purpose, contributing to the overall momentum of the story. By organizing these elements from the outset, you successfully maintain a coherent structure, preventing the narrative from veering off course.
Effective plotting starts with a strong outline that stages the key turning points and developments in the plot. This serves as a blueprint guiding the flow and pacing, ensuring that tension builds appropriately and that climactic moments are impactful.
Each plotted scene should push the story forward, revealing new information, deepening character development, or escalating conflict. This organization keeps the story engaging and helps avoid plot holes and inconsistencies.
Step-By-Step Guide to Plotting a Scene
Step 1 – Define Your Story’s Central Conflict
The first step in plotting a scene is identifying your story’s central conflict. This refers to the main obstacle or problem your characters must face and overcome throughout the story. Once you have this established, you can begin building scenes around it.
There’s no way to proceed to the next step if you fail to establish the central conflict. It is the foundation of your story, and without a strong conflict, your plot will fall flat.
A good storyteller begins by examining the protagonist’s primary goals and motivations. You’ll craft challenging and relevant obstacles by fully understanding the main character’s desires.
The next step involves creating an antagonist or opposing force that embodies the central conflict. Depending on the story’s genre and themes, this can be a person, a societal rule, an internal struggle, or even a natural disaster. The antagonist should not only oppose the protagonist’s goals but also highlight the protagonist’s weaknesses and force them to grow.
A well-defined central conflict is multi-dimensional, involving a compelling antagonist, significant stakes, and clear, emotionally resonant goals for the protagonist.
Step 2 – Block Out the Key Events
Once you have a clear understanding of your central conflict, the next step is to map out the key events that will occur in your story. These significant moments and turning points drive the plot forward, leading to resolving the conflict.
Some essential events to consider include:
- The inciting incident: This is the event or action that sets the story in motion and forces the protagonist to act.
- Midpoint twist: A significant plot twist or revelation halfway through your story should raise the stakes and intensify the central conflict.
- Climax: This is where all the tension peaks, and the protagonist must face their greatest challenge.
- Resolution: After overcoming the climax, the story reaches its resolution, and the central conflict is resolved.
Step 3 – Isolate
Action, drama, and suspense are essential elements of any compelling scene. The best way to achieve this is by isolating the characters in a specific setting or situation.
Isolation creates tension and pressure on the characters, forcing them to act and reveal their true nature. It can be literal, like being stranded on an island, or figurative, like being trapped in a high-stress job. The goal is to figure out how isolation impacts your story’s conflict. In a way, you should showcase how your characters will handle adversity when they’re most vulnerable.
Carry out this step by isolating one event with action, drama, or suspense by describing it in one sentence. You’ll do this to each significant event in your plot. Once you isolate these events or scenarios, you use them to develop specific plot points.
Step 4 – Sketch a Rough Outline
With the key events and isolated scenes in place, you can now sketch a rough outline for your story. It’s essential to maintain flexibility at this stage, as you may need to make changes as you flesh out the details of each scene.
Your outline should include:
- The beginning: Introduce the protagonist and their primary goal while setting the stage for the main conflict.
- The middle: Develop tension through conflicts, obstacles, and character growth.
- The end: Reach a climax and resolve the central conflict while wrapping up any loose ends.
Step 5 – Develop Characters for Each Scene
In addition to the central conflict, your characters’ development is crucial in driving the plot. Each character should have their own arc, goals, and motivations that intersect with the main conflict.
When developing characters for each scene, consider how they will react to the unfolding events and how these reactions will impact their growth and relationships. Breaking down your story into small units and analyzing each character’s role in them is easy, provided you clearly understand your characters’ personalities and motivations.
Step 6 – Write the Scene
Your scene is now ready to be written! Follow the outline you created, incorporating all of the elements discussed in the previous steps. Remember to factor in your characters’ development and reactions to dramatic or chaotic events, as this will dictate the tempo and tone of the scene.
Consider using vivid descriptions, dialogue, and action. You don’t want to simply tell the reader what’s happening; you want them to feel like they’re experiencing it alongside your characters.
Step 7 – Fine-Tune Your Scenes
As you write each scene, be mindful of its purpose in relation to the larger story. Ask yourself:
- Does this scene contribute to developing the central conflict or any subplots?
- Does it reveal new information about the characters or deepen their development?
- Is there a clear beginning, middle, and end to the scene?
- Is there enough tension and conflict to keep the reader hooked?
If your scene is not fulfilling its purpose, revisit and revise it until it aligns with your story’s overall arc. This fine-tuning process is indispensable in creating a cohesive and well-paced plot.
