We’ve established what to include in each scene of your novel, but there are many different types of scenes. Each type has a purpose and a lot of them are needed in order to drive the plot forward.
Introduction
Often one of the first scenes in a story. The introduction shows off the characters, background, setting, and more. It introduces and sets up the story for the reader.
Exposition & Preparation
The exposition is where the necessary information is explained to the characters and to the reader. It’s where the conflict is seen. The preparation is where the characters make plans on how to deal with the conflict. They’re prepping for a journey or for a fight or anything that will resolve the conflict.
Transition
If this was a movie, this is most likely where a traveling montage would occur with lots of panning over beautiful landscapes. The transition scene is exactly what it sounds like. The characters are on the move. This is usually a scene showcasing them moving from one place to another quickly not explaining too much since not much may happen.
Investigation
Another one that sounds exactly like it says. The investigation is the characters searching for clues and trying to put together the pieces of whatever conflict they’re trying to resolve. They’re searching for information.
Revelation
The big reveal! This is when the characters and the readers (or the readers first) realize something big about the conflict. There’s a discovery or they figure something out about their problem or another character – good or bad. This can be a real game changer.
Escape & Pursuit
Another one that sounds like it says. The characters are escaping from some sort of capture or they’re rescuing someone. Maybe they’re the ones pursuing someone else. There can be a car chase, anything can happen. This one is usually pretty tense with high stakes and a good amount of action.
Aftermath
The aftermath can be something at the end or it can be sprinkled throughout the story after certain big events happen. The aftermath shows how the characters deal with a certain situation after the fact. For example, there can be a big battle and a character dies. What do all the other characters do when the battle is over? How do they feel?
Resolution
The end. There’s not too much to say about this one other than the characters have figured it out (or maybe not, depending) and the end wraps everything up nicely.
What are some other scenes I missed? Do you have a favorite kind you enjoy writing? Let me know in the comments below. If you liked this post, please share it around.
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Good valuable note for me with my book project just started
Good, glad to hear it. Thanks for reading. 🙂
You are welcome Rachel
Hello Rachel, Thankyou for this list. I hadn’t thought of scenes like that before.
No problem. Scenes aren’t something we typically think too hard about, I think. Thanks for reading and commenting. 🙂
Good, well-thought out list Rachel. I usually think of my mystery books as divided into thirds. Each third contains elements of almost all of your points. First hundred pages is the set-up. (My books run about three hundred pages.)The problem,(usually a murder) the characters. some clues. Second third, More explanation, more clues including red herrings.(Maybe even another murder.) Last third the wind-up. Characters make more discoveries, solve the mystery. I include an epilogue to revisit the characters, tie up any loose ends. In first drafts I often leave transitions for later in the writing process so I don’t slow down momentum in moving the story along. I enjoy your blog.
Ah, that’s a really good way of looking at it too. Thanks for sharing!
Also, I got the books. I’m reading the first book now. Thanks so much for them. 🙂
I didn’t know there were so many.
I know, it’s not really something you’d think too much about.