Make Every Scene Work

Craft moves that instantly strengthen your scenes. 

There is a trap almost every new writer falls into.

It doesn’t look dangerous. It doesn’t feel wrong. In fact, it often feels productive.

Have you ever experienced this? You’re writing. The words are flowing. The scene is vivid. But then you think…is anything really happening?

Suddenly, you are in the trap. The trap of: Writing a scene without a clear purpose.

As writers, we want readers to understand our characters’ lives. So we write their mornings, their routines, and their environments. We write the texture of the world around them.

We build atmosphere. We build mood. We show how they behave. 

And all of that matters. But atmosphere and mood don’t carry a scene.

Every scene needs a goal. Every scene needs resistance. Every scene needs something to change.

Without those elements, even beautiful writing struggles to hold weight. So how do you make sure your scenes aren’t drifting?

You use a checklist!

The Checklist

This round, I focused on ways to strengthen each scene, and I’ll use these tips as the basis for the checklist. In general, I want you to remember this: the purpose of every scene is to move the story forward. If a scene is keeping us in one place and not advancing it should probably be cut or combined with another scene. Atmosphere, mood, tone, all those things are wonderful and useful, but should be done in scenes where there is a clear goal.

In other words, those descriptive elements are layers that should be added to a scene with a clear purpose. Avoid writing them as standalone scenes.  

So how do you know if your scene is doing the job? The purpose/goal of the scene should tie into the conflict of the story (or a related conflict if the full conflict isn’t revealed right away). Using this checklist will help you be sure that what you have will add to the story arc’s progression. 

1. Clear Desire

☐ I can clearly state what my character wants in this scene.

☐ I can complete this sentence:

In this scene, my character wants __________.

The desire must be specific to this moment — not a general life goal.

No clear want = no forward motion.

Example: She thought of better times. Time when they walked the  apple orchards with wind in their hair, leaves blowing by them as they laughed and shared a hot chocolate. It hadn’t been like that in years. She wished they were both happier. 

Better: 

She thought of better times. Time when they walked the  apple orchards with wind in their hair, leaves blowing by them as they laughed and shared a hot chocolate. It hadn’t been like that in years.  

She couldn’t wait any longer. She was going to break up with him. 

2. Resistance

☐ There is at least one meaningful obstacle.

What makes this harder than expected? Examples:

• A person resists

• New information complicates things

• An interruption shifts the dynamic

• An emotional reaction creates tension

• A delay raises the stakes

Desire without resistance feels flat. Resistance creates energy.

Example: 

She thought of better times. Time when they walked the  apple orchards with wind in their hair, leaves blowing by them as they laughed and shared a hot chocolate. It hadn’t been like that in years.  

So today, she was going to break up with him. 

Better: 

She thought of better times. Time when they walked the  apple orchards with wind in their hair, leaves blowing by them as they laughed and shared a hot chocolate. It hadn’t been like that in years.  

So today, she was going to break up with him, if only she could get to him before he bought the ring. 

3. A Shift

☐ Something changes by the end of the scene.

By the final line, something should be different:

• New information

• A decision

• A raised risk

• A deepened connection

• A new doubt or conflict

If nothing changes, the scene is circling instead of advancing. Scene and story momentum live in change.

Example: After the exhausting day, she closed her eyes and went to bed.

Better: 

After the exhausting day, she closed her eyes and went to bed, knowing that tomorrow, she would have to face him. 

And finally say the words that would end their relationship for good. 

4️. Precision 

☐ I have trimmed what isn’t serving the scene.

Look for:

• Repeated emotional beats

• Dialogue tags that over-explain

• “She realized…” “He felt…” filtering language

• Sentences that restate what’s already clear

Clarity strengthens impact. Cutting isn’t punishment. It’s refinement.

Example: “I don’t want to be with you anymore,” she said, feeling like she wanted to be happier like the old her. Like she wanted to walk in apple orchards again. She slammed the door behind her. 

Better: “I don’t want to be with you anymore.” She slammed the door behind her.

Note: This one is an editing technique. I don’t recommend doing major cuts and trims until you have the full story in place and you know what information needs to stay and what information gets repeated. 

5. Specificity

☐ I have replaced generalization with specific details.

Replace vague statements with:

• Concrete action

• A precise sensory detail

• Behavior that reveals emotion

• One image that anchors the moment

Specific writing invites immersion. Vague writing keeps readers at a distance.

Example: She was nervous. 

Better: She picked at her cuticles absently. When she looked down, she saw the bloody mess she had made of her nails. 

**Note: This is also an editing technique. Great to keep this in the back of your mind while drafting, but sometimes it’s easier to do these kinds of edits on the second draft. 

6. Final Test

☐ I can answer this question: If I removed this scene, would the story lose momentum?

If the answer is no, strengthen the goal, the resistance, or the shift. Or simply combine with another scene that is already doing the job. 

The Final Word

I always say if you need to write a moment out, even if you don’t know its purpose, absolutely do it. A scene without a clear purpose can always be fixed in an edit. Just keep in mind that your goal with each scene is to move the plot forward. Scenes that exist purely for the beautiful writing or to show a normal day-in-the-life are likely going to slow the pace. Readers want that texture, but it needs to be combined with purposeful plot points or you risk losing the audience. 

Your turn!

Choose any scene and apply the checklist. Don’t be afraid to make cuts or changes. As you continue to make edits, you’ll be surprised how you will cut things and then end up bringing them back in different parts of the story. It’s all about balance and finding the perfect spot for every detail to make your story shine! 🥰

Get - The Strong Scene Checklist