How to Tell an Impactful Story: Start with Scenes that Reveal Strength and Hope

New to writing fiction stories? We’ve got you.

A scene is like the building block of the story.

It is an event taking place in a particular time and location.

In a scene, characters have a goal, conversations, and take action. There are descriptions of the world around them, and their internal emotional state is revealed, as the story moves forward.

The dialogue is filled with conflict and sensory details show how the world and interactions feel to your character.

At the beginning of a scene, you introduce the characters and the moment they’re experiencing. In the middle of the scene, they try to achieve their goals and communicate with others. At the end of the scene, the conflict of the story is set up and they are prepared to take the next necessary action in the story (which should align with each character’s unique personality.)

Here’s an example of the beginning of a scene that I wrote:

The city’s subway stations were grimy and overcrowded, yet music filled the air. A bony artist weaved melodies for spare change. There was something about taking the train at night that made Gabriel feel free and independent. He paid for his ticket, slipped into a seat in the back corner, and started digging through his backpack for a book.

Then, out of the corner of his eye, he saw her—South. Just a fleeting shadow, but enough. The memory of her touch still lingered and made him confused about why she did what she did. He could still feel the way her fingertips used to tremble against him, the way she used to kiss him—deep, desperate, as if afraid he might vanish.

The train screeched to a stop, and she was gone. 

He knew she would be.

After all, South was dead.

But as he packed up his bag to step off at his stop, he saw her again. Blonde hair tumbled over her shoulders as she turned, her gaze locking onto his. She stood beneath the dim subway lights, wrapped in a winter coat, leggings hugging her frame. Her fingers curled around the metal bar, knuckles pale against the cold steel. But it wasn’t just the sight of her that sent a chill racing through him—it was her eyes.

Sharp. Knowing.

And undeniably conscious.

He froze, book tumbling out of numb hands, his breath catching. He quickly turned toward the window. He grasped his backpack to steady his racing thoughts. Then slowly, deliberately, he finished packing up his stuff.

How could she be here— like nothing had changed — riding the train as if he hadn’t buried her in the grave? This wasn’t how he wanted to see her again, not in a crowded space filled with strangers, the low hum of music leaking from their headphones, the sharp stench of piss and gasoline clinging to the air, and discarded scraps of trash ever-collecting near his feet.

When he looked back, South had already slung her bag over her shoulder and was slipping through the open doors onto the platform at 7th station.

So this is an example of setting up the action and some vivid details. As the characters get into the nitty gritty of the conflict, and the dialogue begins, they will reveal their difficulties and their strengths, as they work towards accomplishing something. But it won’t be until the end of the story that it is revealed whether or not they have succeeded.

When you’re writing a scene for a story, here are some guiding questions to get you started.

Questions to Ask Yourself about Scenes and Obstacles for the Characters

Fleshing Out Scenes

1. What is the symbolic theme of your story? What is the tone, mood, and vibe of this scene and how does it tie in with the rest of the story?
2. What will grip the reader? What is the sensory hook?
3. What does the character want and how will they change and adapt?
4. How does the situation change? What are the stakes and how will the conflict get revealed and become more intense?
5. What is the pulse of the scene? What moment in this scene will get your reader’s heart beating? Your heart beating?
6. How will this scene affect the emotions?
7. What emotion is at play for the main character? What about the antagonist?
8. What is this scene about? What is its purpose? What happens?

Remember: There are two kinds of conflict revealed in a scene.

Internal Conflict is a psychological struggle within a character’s mind. What are their flaws? Their fears? What emotions are creating tension in their journey? What do they think they want, and what do they really need? Internal Conflict rises from internal pressures, moral dilemmas, or personal challenges that a character faces.

This type of conflict contrasts with external conflict, which involves a character’s struggle with an outside force. People take actions that frustrate the main character’s desire and create obstacles for them. External conflict is unfortunate circumstances and the decisions of the antagonists.

To learn more about writing fiction, read about character development here, or check out resources for total beginners.

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