# Scene Worksheet

## Scene Identification

**Chapter:**  
**Scene Number:**  
**Working Title:**  
**POV Character:**  
**Location:**  
**Time:**  

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## Scene Purpose

### Plot Function
What must this scene accomplish for the story?
- [ ] Advances main plot by:
- [ ] Develops subplot:
- [ ] Reveals information:
- [ ] Sets up future payoff:

### Character Function
- [ ] Develops protagonist's arc by:
- [ ] Reveals character trait:
- [ ] Advances relationship:
- [ ] Forces decision:

### Reader Function
- [ ] Creates tension through:
- [ ] Provides emotional beat:
- [ ] Delivers genre promise (action/romance/mystery/etc.):

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## Scene Structure

### Goal
What does the POV character want in this scene?

### Conflict
What opposes them?

### Outcome
Do they get it?
- [ ] Yes (rarely—story stalls)
- [ ] No (protagonist set back)
- [ ] Yes, but... (gets goal with complication)
- [ ] No, and... (fails plus new problem)

### Sequel/Decision
How does the character process this outcome and decide what to do next?

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## Opening

### Hook
First line/paragraph—what pulls the reader in?

### Orientation
Within first page, reader should know:
- [ ] Where (location)
- [ ] When (time relative to previous scene)
- [ ] Who (POV established)
- [ ] What's at stake

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## Key Beats

Plan 3-5 essential moments in this scene:

1. 
2. 
3. 
4. 
5. 

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## Closing

### Chapter/Scene End
How does this scene end?
- [ ] Cliffhanger (physical danger)
- [ ] Revelation (new information)
- [ ] Decision point (character must choose)
- [ ] Escalation (stakes raised)
- [ ] Transition (if mid-chapter scene)

### Last Line
What's the closing image or line?

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## Sensory Layer

Ground the scene in physical experience:

**Sight:**  
**Sound:**  
**Smell:**  
**Touch:**  
**Taste:**  

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## Dialogue Notes

### Must-hit lines
[Key dialogue this scene needs to include]

### Subtext
What's unsaid but understood?

### Voice check
Is each character's speech distinctive?

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## Continuity Checklist

- [ ] Time of day consistent with previous scene?
- [ ] Character knowledge accurate? (Do they know what they know?)
- [ ] Physical states carried over? (injuries, fatigue, etc.)
- [ ] Objects accounted for?
- [ ] Weather/setting consistent?

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## Post-Draft Assessment

After writing, answer:

### Did this scene turn?
Something should change between beginning and end.

### Could it be cut?
If nothing would be lost, consider combining with another scene.

### Does it earn its length?
Every scene should justify its word count.

### Is the POV character active?
Passive protagonists lose readers.

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## Notes

[Anything else specific to this scene]