Writing Deep Scenes

1. Master Plot: Action, Emotion, Theme.

In all stories, to one degree or another, plot is how the dramatic events (action) in a story change and/or transform the main character (emotion) over time in a meaningful way (theme).

Plot's core components. Every compelling story, regardless of genre, is built upon three fundamental layers: action, emotion, and theme. Action is the physical events and what happens; emotion is the internal experience of characters and readers; and theme is the underlying meaning derived from the journey. These layers are intertwined, not separate, and must work together in every scene.

Genre variations. While all stories contain these elements, their emphasis can shift depending on the genre. Action-packed genres like thrillers prioritize external events and the protagonist's external actions to solve a problem. Literary fiction, fantasy, and horror often focus more on the protagonist's internal change and transformation through a series of seemingly random, yet causally linked, events.

Essential plotlines. Understanding these three major plotlines—action, emotion, and theme—is crucial for any writer. They provide the framework for building tension, engaging readers, and creating a story that resonates. Mastering their interplay at both the scene and overall story level is key to writing deep, memorable narratives.

2. Scenes: Story's Moment-by-Moment Engine.

A scene on its own is like one perfect note of music, a beautiful sound that contains all the necessary elements to resonate in the listener's inner ear.

Scenes vs. Summary. Scenes are the vivid, real-time moments of your story, driven by action, dialogue, and sensory details. They engage readers by showing characters experiencing events moment-by-moment. Summary, in contrast, explains or tells the reader information, often slowing pace and disengaging the senses. Use summary sparingly, primarily for condensing time or location, or reiterating known details.

Scene's essential ingredients. Every strong scene functions as a microcosm of the larger plot, containing key elements to move the story forward and deepen character. These include:

• Protagonist and goals
• Antagonists and allies
• Momentum (action/dialogue)
• New plot information
• Setting and time (shown, not told)
• Thematic imagery
• Tension

Purposeful moments. Scenes should launch into action, build tension through conflict and uncertainty, and end in a way that makes the reader eager to know what happens next. Each scene must create consequences that influence subsequent scenes, linking them together through cause and effect to form a compelling narrative chain.

3. Universal Story Design & Energetic Markers.

These four spots occupy the same placement in all, or almost all, stories, forming a universal design that you'll find in best-selling literature and screenplays because it speaks to something deeply resonant in human experience.

Story's structural containers. All stories share a universal design: a beginning, a middle, and an end. The middle, typically half the story, is further divided into the emerging middle and the deeper middle. Each of these four parts constitutes roughly a quarter of the story and serves a distinct function in the narrative's progression and the character's journey.

Energetic Markers. Within this universal design are four key turning points called Energetic Markers, where the story's energy and the character's position shift significantly. These fixed points provide structure and build intensity:

• Point of No Return (1/4 mark): Protagonist leaves the familiar.
• Rededication (1/2 mark): Protagonist recommits to the goal.
• Dark Night (3/4 mark): Lowest point, crisis, all seems lost.
• Triumph (near the end): Climax, protagonist prevails.

Organizing for impact. Understanding these markers helps writers organize scenes for maximum dramatic and emotional impact. Scenes leading up to a marker build energy, which peaks at the marker itself, before shifting direction. This predictable yet powerful structure resonates with readers on a deep, subconscious level.

4. Action: Driving Force & Conflict.

A goal gets the character—and the story—moving.

Action's dual role. Action is the engine of your story, operating on two levels: the moment-by-moment physical movement and dialogue that creates real-time momentum, and the dramatic action of the plot driven by characters pursuing goals against obstacles. Both are essential for engaging readers and advancing the narrative.

Goals create action. Concrete, challenging, and measurable goals for your protagonist are vital. These long-term goals generate specific short-term actions the character takes in scenes. Obstacles, often posed by antagonists (people, nature, society, internal flaws), create tension and force the character to act, react, and adapt.

Action in the beginning. In the first quarter, action introduces the protagonist, their world, and initial goals. It sets up the conflict that will push the character towards the Point of No Return. Even in quieter stories, this initial action, whether subtle or overt, creates the pace and determines the level of early story excitement.

5. Emotion: Character Connection & Transformation.

The display of characters’ emotions bonds readers to the story and allows them to not only observe the protagonist draw nearer or further way from her goal(s) but also to experience that character’s setbacks and successes emotionally.

Emotion's vital link. Emotion is the heart of your story, forging a deep connection between characters and readers. It's not just about telling readers how a character feels, but demonstrating it through actions, dialogue, reactions, and internal sensory perceptions. Complex, layered emotions make characters feel real and relatable.

Emotional journey. The protagonist's emotional state evolves throughout the story. The beginning introduces their initial emotional stance, often tied to fears, longings, and flaws (the "shadow realm"). As action and conflict intensify in the middle, these emotions are tested, revealing deeper truths and vulnerabilities.

Transformation through feeling. The dramatic action of the plot serves as a catalyst for the character's emotional transformation. Facing obstacles and antagonists forces them to confront their shadow sides, learn from mistakes, and develop emotional maturity. This internal growth, culminating in the end, is what makes a story meaningful and resonant.

6. Theme: Meaning & Resonance.

Stories that get readers thinking resonate with meaning.

Theme's unifying power. Theme is the abstract meaning or universal truth explored in your story (e.g., justice, loyalty, loss, forgiveness). It ties together the action and emotion, providing a deeper significance that lingers with the reader long after the book is finished. A clear thematic significance statement acts as a compass for the writer.

Subtle integration. Theme is best conveyed subtly through thematic imagery, symbols, metaphors, word choices, and character actions, rather than being stated outright. These elements weave through the narrative, speaking to the reader's subconscious and enriching their understanding of the story's core ideas.

Theme throughout the journey. Thematic elements evolve as the story progresses. In the beginning, they hint at the underlying meaning and the character's initial state. In the middle, they deepen as the character faces conflict and reveals their shadow. In the end, they reflect the character's integration and the story's ultimate message.

7. Beginning: Setting the Stage & Shadow Realm.

The beginning introduces the familiar: characters, habits, the setting, thought patterns, actions.

Establishing the normal. The first quarter of your story introduces the protagonist's ordinary world, their habits, relationships, and initial emotional state. It establishes the status quo before the disruption that will launch the plot. This section must quickly engage the reader and make them care about the protagonist.

Introducing conflict & goals. The beginning sets up the protagonist's initial goals and the underlying conflict that will drive the narrative. This conflict, often involving antagonists or challenging circumstances, creates tension and pushes the character towards the first major turning point.

The Point of No Return. The beginning culminates at the First Energetic Marker, the Point of No Return (around the 1/4 mark). This is a pivotal scene where the protagonist makes a choice or is forced by events to leave their familiar world behind and step into the unknown territory of the middle. This action is often fraught with emotion and marks the true start of their journey.

8. Emerging Middle: Testing, Antagonists, & Rising Tension.

The middle begins the moment the protagonist crosses into the territory of the antagonists.

Entering the unknown. After the Point of No Return, the protagonist enters the emerging middle, a new and often challenging world controlled by antagonists. This section tests the character, revealing strengths and weaknesses as they navigate unfamiliar situations and face increasing obstacles.

Antagonists' role. Antagonists, whether people, forces, or internal flaws, actively interfere with the protagonist's goals. Their actions create conflict and tension, forcing the protagonist to adapt and revealing their emotional reactions to adversity. The rhythmic assault of challenges spurs the protagonist's growth.

Building to Rededication. The emerging middle builds tension as the protagonist struggles and questions their decisions. It culminates at the Second Energetic Marker, Rededication (the halfway mark), where the protagonist, despite fears and doubts, makes a powerful recommitment to their goal, preparing them for the deeper challenges ahead.

9. Deeper Middle: Intensifying Darkness & Crisis.

The deeper middle is defined by the intensity of the tension between what the character wants and what stands in his way.

Darkness intensifies. The second half of the middle plunges the protagonist into deeper, darker territory. Antagonists become more formidable, and obstacles are riskier and more perilous. The protagonist's flaws are exposed and exploited, leading to increasing struggle and resistance.

Stretching the self. This section is designed to stretch the protagonist to their breaking point. They continue using old techniques that no longer work in this new world, leading to repeated failures and growing dread. The tension builds relentlessly as the protagonist moves closer to their ultimate low point.

The Dark Night. The deeper middle culminates at the Third Energetic Marker, the Dark Night (around the 3/4 mark). This is the story's lowest point, a moment of explosive crisis, loss, or the death of illusion. It represents the protagonist's greatest failure or setback, forcing them to confront their shadow and serving as a wake-up call for transformation.

10. End: Triumph, Integration, & Resolution.

In the last quarter of the story, the protagonist struggles to take full ownership of her newly discovered consciousness.

Emerging into light. After the Dark Night, the protagonist enters the final quarter of the story, moving towards integration and triumph. They begin to act with newfound consciousness, aligning their actions with their new understanding of themselves and the world. Old behaviors no longer fit the person they've become.

Building to Triumph. The end scenes build rapidly in intensity towards the Fourth Energetic Marker, the Triumph. This is the story's climax, where the protagonist, now empowered and emotionally mature, faces off against the antagonist for the final time. Their actions are decisive and courageous, reflecting the lessons learned throughout the journey.

Resolution and reflection. Following the Triumph, the story moves into resolution scenes. These tie up major plot threads and show the transformed character living in their new world. While the main conflict is resolved, there may be lingering questions or bittersweet reflections, providing a sense of closure and demonstrating the lasting impact of the journey.

11. Scene Types: Varying Pace & Impact.

Using all fifteen types of scenes broadens your ability to reach and impact your readers in the exact way you desire.

Beyond basic scenes. Not all scenes are created equal. Employing a variety of scene types allows writers to control the story's pace, build tension, evoke specific emotions, and convey information effectively. Relying on only one type can lead to a flat or monotonous narrative.

Strategic scene selection. Different scene types are particularly effective at different points in the story or around Energetic Markers. For example:

• First scenes: Introduce character, setting, initial conflict.
• Suspense scenes: Build tension and anxiety.
• Dialogue scenes: Reveal character and advance plot through conversation.
• Contemplative scenes: Allow character reflection and slower pace.
• Crisis scenes: Depict moments of failure or loss.
• Triumph scenes: Showcase the story's climax.

Layering for depth. Scene types can be combined or layered to achieve multiple goals simultaneously. Learning to select and craft scenes strategically, considering their impact on action, emotion, and theme, is essential for creating a dynamic and memorable story.

12. Imagery & Symbolism: Weaving Deeper Meaning.

Images are the most evocative way to draw the reader’s attention to the theme of the story in a subtle way.

Beyond literal description. Imagery uses sensory details and figurative language (similes, metaphors) to create vivid pictures in the reader's mind. These images are often stylized to evoke emotional, symbolic, and thematic meanings beyond their literal description.

Symbols and talismans. Objects, people, or recurring motifs can function as symbols or talismans, representing deeper meanings related to the story's themes. Their appearance throughout the narrative subtly reinforces these ideas in the reader's subconscious.

Enhancing theme. Imagery and symbolism are powerful tools for conveying theme without resorting to exposition. They can:

• Demonstrate character traits or emotional states metaphorically.
• Evoke emotion in the reader through sensory experience.
• Foreshadow future events or plot elements.
• Zoom the reader's focus in on key moments.

By consciously weaving meaningful imagery and symbols into every scene, writers can deepen the story's resonance and create a richer, more impactful reading experience.

Last updated: May 19, 2025