Writing Engaging Plots and Memorable Scenes in Your Novel

The art of storytelling is a delicate balance between creating story structure and crafting fiction elements that resonate with your readers. While we've previously explored the differences between plot-driven and character-driven narratives, the next step is to delve into the mechanics of creating a truly memorable plot.

How do you decide what type of story best suits your message?

How do you ensure that your plot remains etched in your readers' minds long after turning the last page?

This comprehensive guide aims to answer these questions and more, offering a roadmap to crafting plots that resonate with readers long after they’ve closed the book.

Choosing Your Story Type

When you think about your narrative, some questions you might want to ask yourself are:

• How many characters will your story have?

• How much focus will you give each character?

• What kind of emotional ties might your audience make with your characters?

• What is the primary action taking place?

• What are the minor plot points? 

• What might happen if you switch out characters?

• What might happen if you change the plot? 

As mentioned, the reason why you want to decide what type of story you want to tell is because it will directly impact what you want your audience to find most memorable.

The Power of Memorable Scenes

Let’s consider how plot works for a film, let’s say Toy Story. 

This may age me a bit, but I remember seeing this movie when it first came out. I think I was around 11 or 12.

Of course, I remember the new animation technology because it was like nothing I had ever seen before. However, what stands out in my mind back then and even today was the scene where Woody scares the heck out of Sid. 

This is an action-packed scene with a touch of creepiness, all of which makes this scene memorable, but what really makes this plot stand out is that so much happens in terms of character and plot development.

For example:

• The toys break the golden rule of letting a child see them alive.

• Woody works with toys that are not Andy’s.

• Woody works with said toys to save Buzz.

• Sid, a clear antagonist of the film, gets his comeuppance.

All of these are a part of Woody’s specific character development. Since he is arguably the main character, it makes sense that we, the audience, are invested in his journey.

Since this is part of the culmination of the movie, there is an even bigger payoff for the character and the audience. They now see that Woody does have room to change and his usual structured, my way or the highway attitude, leaves room for friendship.

Once you understand how each scene leads to the greater story arc, you can then thread these into the larger plot:

Create a Plot Outline

We have talked about outline a great deal, but it always bears repeating. Whether or not you use an outline for your book, I would suggest you use it for your scenes. This is because it will help you understand that each scene is its own story.

It must have a beginning, middle, and end.

When you begin to think this way about your scenes, the overall plot is improved.

Fine-tune the Details  

Also known as “fleshing out,” this refers to taking a detailed approach to your overall plot and each scene that occurs.

Consider some of the following questions:

• Why does this scene happen in the narrative?

• What does it contribute to the story?

• Are any characters placed in this scene unnecessarily?

• Is the setting well-defined?

• Can you add or take away descriptions?

• What parts of the backstory (character and overall story) did I include?

• Can this background information be formed in a more dynamic way (for example, as part of the dialogue or interwoven in action)?

• What do I want the audience to feel after reading this scene?

And so forth!

Answer these questions and then going back to edit your novel is extremely helpful and will not only help your story become the best it can be but also help you become a better writer. 

 Let It Rest, Then Revisit

After you have fleshed out some of the details, then you want to give your story a break. This can be a few days, a week, or a month, and for some authors, they might alternate between stories for years until the works are finished.

This is entirely up to you!

However, doing this will let your brain reset after working so hard on your novel.

That way, when you come back to it, you are more likely to notice any kind of errors, whether they are plot holes or you now notice a ton of spelling and grammar errors.

Doing the above will help your plots become much more memorable because they will be inherently better!

Plot Checklist

 You can use the following information for each scene or for specific plot points. The goal is to get you thinking about how to make your plots more dynamic without sacrificing any necessary information (such as backstory or pacing).

1. The backstory of my setting and characters are woven into dialogue and action, other than when it is necessary to tell the reader directly.

2. There are a lot of sensory details (sights, sounds, visual descriptions, etc.)

3. There is information on the passing of time and/or place, whichever helps ground the reader in the world’s reality.

4. All my scenes begin in a different way than their predecessors (unless it is necessary for the plot).

5. There is not more action than there is information and vice versa. In other words, my story, and each scene, are balanced unless there is a need to create more of one than the other (one scene must include action to advance the plot).

6. All moments in the novel, and in each scene, work together to advance the plot.

7. My scenes are filled with both inner and outer conflict; however, it is clear whether this is a plot-driven or story-driven novel.

8. My overall plot can be easily understood, and there is no need to explain anything to the reader directly in the narrative.

9. My plot keeps in mind the type of reader that is reading and caters to them, not every reader on Earth.

10. I have stepped away from my story, let it rest, and when I have come back to it, I have addressed any areas of weakness or places where the plot can be tightened.

Whether you're writing a plot-driven thriller or a character-driven drama, the key to a memorable story lies in your ability to balance these elements effectively.

So go ahead, use this checklist, let your story rest, revisit it, and fine-tune it until it becomes the unforgettable narrative you've always dreamed of writing.

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