Have you ever read a story where you felt like you were right there in the room with the characters, seeing what they saw and feeling what they felt? That’s not magic—that’s a scene that pops.

An impactful scene is the beating heart of any story. It’s what moves the plot forward, reveals a character’s true nature, and makes the world of your story feel real. If you think your scenes are falling flat, don’t worry. Here are a few key elements you can focus on to make them unforgettable.

Give Every Scene a Purpose

Before you write a single word, ask yourself: what is the point of this scene? A great scene should do at least one of these three things:

• Advance the Plot: Something happens that changes the story’s direction. A character gets new information, a choice is made, or an event pushes the narrative forward.
• Reveal Character: We learn something new about a character. We might see their deepest fear, a hidden strength, or a flaw that will impact the story later on.
• Build the World: The scene gives us a deeper understanding of the story’s setting and rules. This is how you make a fictional world feel lived-in and real.

Aim for your scene to do at least one of these, but the best scenes often do all three at once.

Show, Don’t Tell

This is a classic writing tip for a reason. Instead of telling the reader how a character feels or what a room looks like, show it through their actions, senses, and dialogue.

• Telling: Sarah was angry.
• Showing: Sarah’s hands clenched into fists, her knuckles turning white. She bit back a sharp reply, the words a bitter taste on her tongue.

See the difference? The second example puts the reader directly into Sarah’s experience, making her anger feel much more real.

Engage All Five Senses

Readers connect with a story through their senses. Don’t just tell us what a character sees and hears. What do they smell, taste, and feel?

If your character is in a coffee shop, you could describe the smell of roasted beans and warm pastries, the sound of the espresso machine hissing, the feel of the worn wood on the table, and the taste of a bitter black coffee. Adding these details creates a richer, more immersive experience.

Infuse Dialogue With Conflict

In a good scene, dialogue isn’t just a way to share information; it’s a way to reveal conflict. People rarely say exactly what they mean. They might hide their true feelings, say one thing and mean another, or have a tense subtext to their conversation.

Think of a character asking their partner, “Are you okay?” The simple question could be a neutral check-in or a loaded accusation, depending on the tone and context. Dialogue with this kind of subtext creates tension and keeps readers engaged.

Your Turn: Write a Scene That Pops

Ready to put these tips into practice? Take a simple, everyday event, like a character waiting for a bus. Now, try to write a short scene that makes it pop.

• What is the purpose of the scene? Is the bus late, revealing the character’s impatience?
• What sensory details can you add? What do they smell, hear, or feel?
• How can you create a small moment of conflict? Maybe another person at the bus stop is invading their personal space, or an internal conflict is brewing.

Now go give it a try. The more you practice, the more your scenes will come to life.