Scene & Sequel
Scene and sequel structure is the blueprint, the GPS of your story. It keeps your narrative engine revving, pacing on point, and audience on seat edge.
Scenes are where the action happens, where your character rolls up their sleeves and exhibits their special skill. They've got a goal, something they want so bad they can taste it. Maybe it's saving the princess, finding the treasure, or just making it through another mind-numbing day at the office. That goal is the driving force driving your character through the scene.
But it can't be easy, right? Where's the fun in that? That's why you need conflict. The roadblocks and speed bumps that make your character's life a living hell. It could be physical, like a pack of velociraptors standing between them and safety. Or it could be another character, a nemesis throwing grenades into their plans. The more conflict, the better.
And then comes the outcome, the moment of truth. Did your character get what they wanted? Did they join the fail army? Or maybe, just maybe, something unexpected happened, a twist that flipped the whole story on its head. The outcome sets the stage for everything that happens next.
Which gets us to the sequel. If scenes are the action, sequels are the reaction. This is where your character takes a breath, licks their wounds, and figures out what the hell just happened. The emotional gut punch, the "oh shit" moment that leaves them reeling.
That reaction delivers the dilemma. The moment where your character must choose between the rock and the hard place. Do they press on despite the odds? Do they cut their losses and bail out? The dilemma adds depth, clarity, and theme and shows us what your character is really made of.
The decision sets up the next scene. Your character makes their choice, for better or worse, and off we go into the next scene. And after that, the next sequel. Scene and sequel. Action and reaction. Lather, rinse, repeat.
In "The Hunger Games." Katniss needs medicine for Peeta. That's her goal, the driving force of the scene. But standing in her way? A pack of bloodthirsty tributes and a whole mess of booby traps. That's the conflict. And the outcome? Katniss gets the medicine, but not without a fight. The scene is a white-knuckle thrill ride from start to finish.
But then comes the sequel. Katniss is shaken, worried for Peeta. That's the reaction. And the dilemma? How the hell does she keep him safe and still stay in the game? It's a tough choice, but in the end, she decides to stick by his side, come what may. And just like that, we're set up for the next scene.
In "Star Wars." Luke and Han are on a mission to save the princess. Classic scene structure. Goal? Rescue Leia. Conflict? A battalion of stormtroopers and a labyrinthine space station. Outcome? They get the girl but end up neck-deep in garbage. Literally.
And during this sequel? They're relieved, they're exhausted, they're shouting at each other about the mess they’re in. That's the reaction. The dilemma? How to get off this flying death trap in one piece without an escape plan. The decision? Leia takes charge, rescuing her rescuers.
Scene and sequel are like peanut butter and chocolate. Not as satisfying on their own as they are together. The sweet recipe of delicious storytelling. It sounds basic and easy to implement. Right? Good. You’ve no excuse to not give it a try.
