You’ve been told you must craft goal-driven scenes, but sometimes it feels overwhelming like you might not be doing it correctly. In this article, I’ll share three simple items that, if applied, will give you confidence that your scenes have effective goals. As a result, this will make your readers continue reading through the night. Those items are: First, establish the objective. Second, introduce conflict. Third, show progress.
The Power of Goal-Driven Scenes
The last thing you want a reader to do is put your book down and never pick it back up. If a character’s purpose for their actions is unclear in a scene, they will get confused. The second a reader gets confused, you’ve made them disengage from the story, and their minds will remind them they need to go to bed or wash the dishes. You’ve lost them. Also, the other risk of characters not having a purpose for their actions is the reader will get bored. One of the joys of reading a book is seeing if the characters will succeed in reaching their goals. It provides this subtle tension scene after scene that keeps the reader reading and engaged.
A novel is built with scenes one after the other until the conclusion. If goals keep readers engaged and rooting for the characters, then every scene needs a goal. The moment a scene lacks one, you’ve just given your reader a reason to stop reading. To avoid that, ensure each scene acts like a mini-story, complete with a goal, conflict, and resolution.
When a scene has conflict, the reader will witness the characters struggling, triggering empathy. This empathy allows the reader to form an emotional connection with the character. So, goals keep the reader from being bored, challenges keep the reader emotionally connected, and a resolution allows a release of tension in the reader—a sense of closure. It also allows for a new goal and for it all to repeat until the end, sustaining reader engagement.
Recognizing when there are no goals
Sometimes, experiencing the boredom, disconnect, and lack of closure a reader encounters will help you know how to spot a scene with a missing goal.
Let’s illustrate this with a very simple example scene (It’s kept short because your time is precious):
“Jane sat on a park bench, sipping her coffee. She watched as children played and birds sang. A man walked by, giving a curt nod, and continued on his path. She smiled, reflecting on the peacefulness of the moment. A breeze stirred the leaves, bringing to mind a summer’s day from her childhood.”
This passage lacks a crucial element: a goal. It is not a goal-driven scene. Despite presenting action and setting a tranquil atmosphere, the scene lacks momentum and purpose.
Keep reading to see how this scene gets more exciting by adding a goal.
Transforming the Narrative: A Step-by-Step Guide to Infusing Scenes with Goals
Now, let’s revise the scene to incorporate a clear, compelling goal using a simple step-by-step process:
Step 1 – Establish the Objective: What is Jane doing in this scene? Why is she there? Let’s assign Jane an objective: she is waiting for a man with a briefcase.
Step 2 – Introduce Conflict: Jane’s peaceful moment in the park is not merely a chance to relax but a period of anxious anticipation. The man who walks by is not the one she’s waiting for, adding a sense of disappointment and conflict to the scene.
Step 3 – Show Progress: Jane’s ongoing wait and the passing man who isn’t the one build suspense. Her goal is not yet met, encouraging readers to turn the page and discover what happens next.
Applying these steps transforms the scene:
“Jane sat on a park bench, sipping her coffee, anxiously awaiting the arrival of the man with the briefcase. Children played, and birds sang, seemingly oblivious to her tension. A man walked by, giving a curt nod, and continued on his path. He wasn’t the one she was waiting for. Her heart sank with disappointment. The breeze stirred the leaves, evoking memories of simpler times before her life became entangled in this complicated situation.”
Could you feel the difference? Even though this is a simple, quick scene, it no longer felt as boring as the original. You were able to connect with Jane because we have all been in a situation when we were waiting for someone. Then, even though she failed to meet the man with the briefcase, you feel a subtle release.
Let’s look at another example:
Let’s start with a scenario that might seem mundane but has the potential to be intriguing:
Original Scene: “Sarah and Mark sat across from each other at a small restaurant. They discussed their day and enjoyed a delicious meal. The ambiance was pleasant, and they smiled at each other, feeling content.”
Step 1 – Establish the Objective: Sarah wants to discuss an important issue with Mark but is unsure how he will react.
Step 2 – Introduce Conflict: Their normal dinner discussion becomes a platform for Sarah to address her concerns.
Step 3 – Show Progress: Sarah hesitates before finally broaching the subject towards the end of the dinner.
Revised Scene: “Sarah and Mark sat across from each other at a small restaurant. As they discussed their day and savored their meal, Sarah anxiously searched for the right moment to bring up the issue weighing on her mind. The pleasant ambiance only made her more nervous about potentially ruining the mood. Towards the end of their meal, she finally found the courage to say, ‘Mark, there’s something important we need to discuss.'”
And one last example of changing a scene to make it goal-driven:
Original Scene: “Michael found a letter in his mailbox. He casually opened it inside his apartment while making coffee.”
Step 1 – Establish the Objective: The letter is from a publisher, and Michael is anxious to know if his manuscript has been accepted for publication.
Step 2 – Introduce Conflict: Michael’s hands tremble with nervous anticipation, making it hard to open the letter.
Step 3 – Show Progress: Despite his anxiety, Michael opens the letter and starts reading the response from the publisher.
Revised Scene: “In his mailbox, Michael discovered an envelope bearing the logo of a well-known publisher. His heart pounded as he took the letter inside his apartment, a silent prayer on his lips. This letter held the verdict on his manuscript. As he tried to open the letter, his hands trembled with anticipation, the letter feeling like a lead weight. He carefully ripped open the envelope, took a deep breath, and unfolded the single-page response.”
In this revised scene, learning the fate of his manuscript fuels Michael’s actions. The clear goal, the tension, and the scene’s progression make it far more engaging and impactful.
Now that you understand that adding goals to a scene is essential don’t change your scenes just yet. First, read about some pitfalls when implementing goals so that you can avoid making a simple mistake.
Potential Pitfalls When Implementing Goals in Scenes
Here are six common pitfalls that can happen when implementing goal-driven scenes. Understanding how these apply to the goals in your scenes will save you a lot of revision time.
1. Ill-Defined Goals
- Pitfall: “Bob wanted to do something that would change his life.”
- Revision: “Bob wanted to leave his dead-end job and start his own bakery, a dream he’d had since childhood.”
- Analysis: In this revision, Bob’s goal is clearly defined and specific. His desire to start his own bakery provides readers with a clear understanding of his ambition, making them invested in his journey. Moreover, mentioning that it’s been a childhood dream adds an emotional layer. Writers should define their characters’ goals as specifically as possible and connect them to the characters’ backstory or emotional state whenever possible.
2. Unrealistic Goals
- Pitfall: “Amy, a beginner piano student, aimed to perform a perfect rendition of Rachmaninoff’s third concerto at her school talent show in a month.”
- Revision: “Amy, a beginner piano student, aimed to learn and perform a simplified version of Beethoven’s ‘Für Elise’ at her school talent show in a month.”
- Analysis: By adjusting Amy’s goal to a more realistic one, the scenario becomes relatable and believable. Though ambitious, it’s within the realm of possibility for a beginner piano student. Authors should ensure their characters’ goals are challenging yet achievable within the story’s context and character capabilities.
3. Unconnected Goals in Scenes
- Pitfall: “In the middle of the action-packed spy novel, James suddenly decided to quit espionage and pursue his goal of opening a flower shop.”
- Revision: “James, a spy, decided to master the art of blending in and used his newfound florist skills as a cover to infiltrate a highly secure facility.”
- Analysis: In the revision, James’s goal to become a florist is connected to his role as a spy, giving it relevancy and advancing the plot. Authors should ensure that character goals are relevant to the plot and contribute to its progression.
4. Lack of Personal Stakes
- Pitfall: “Even though she had never shown interest in politics, Emma suddenly decided to run for mayor.”
- Revision: “Emma, a community organizer passionate about local issues, decided to run for mayor to bring about the change she wanted to see in her town.”
- Analysis: Emma’s political aspirations are linked to her values and passion, making her goal feel organic and raising the stakes. Authors should tie their characters’ goals to their interests, values, or commitments, increasing the stakes and readers’ engagement. The Writer’s Digest shares 5 steps to finding your character’s personal stakes.
5. No Consequences for Failure
- Pitfall: “If Jack didn’t get the promotion, he figured he’d just try again next year.”
- Revision: “If Jack didn’t get the promotion, he wouldn’t be able to afford his mother’s medical bills, a responsibility he promised his late father he’d shoulder.”
- Analysis: This revision introduces a consequence for failure, significantly increasing the stakes and tension. By not achieving his goal, Jack faces personal and emotional fallout. Authors should highlight the potential consequences of failure to elevate the stakes.
6. Lack of Obstacles
- Pitfall: “Alice decided to win the tennis championship, and from the moment she decided, everything went smoothly without any setbacks.”
- Revision: “Alice decided to win the tennis championship, but first, she had to overcome her self-doubt, a fierce rival, and an old knee injury that threatened her performance.”
- Analysis: By introducing obstacles Alice needs to overcome, this revision injects conflict and tension into the scene, making Alice’s journey to the championship more compelling. Authors should introduce internal or external obstacles that their characters must overcome to achieve their goals, making their journeys more engaging and rewarding for the readers.
Reaping the Benefits: The Impact of Goal-Driven Scenes
Mastering the craft of creating goal-oriented scenes helps your characters become more dynamic, engaging, and relatable. And as a result, capturing and holding the reader’s attention.
Now that you know how to make goal-driven scenes, the ultimate aim is to craft a captivating, unforgettable story fueled by goals.
