Organizing Chaos With Scene Cards: Your Story’s GPS (AKA How to Keep Your Writing from Wandering Around Like Lost Children)
- Bair Klos
- Feb 28
- 7 min read
Updated: Mar 24
Have you ever opened your manuscript, stared at the blinking cursor, and thought, What now? Maybe you’ve got a killer opening, an exciting climax, and… a mushy, shapeless mess in between. Where do you go from there?
For me, writing is all about asking questions: What happens next? What now? How else can I make my characters suffer for entertainment purposes? These questions keep the story moving, but answering them on the fly can be overwhelming—especially when your plot starts feeling like a tangled ball of yarn.
That’s where scene cards come in. Whether you’re a plotter who loves structure or a pantser who resists planning like it’s a personal attack, scene cards can keep your story on track without killing creativity. Think of them as your story’s GPS—guiding you forward, but flexible enough to let you take scenic detours.
What Are Scene Cards? (& Why You Need Them)
A scene card is a simple tool that helps you organize, track, and refine your story scene by scene. Each card represents one scene and contains key details like:
What happens in the scene (the action)
Where it takes place (setting)
Which characters are involved
The scene’s purpose (why it matters in the larger story)
Conflict/tension (internal or external)
The outcome (what changes by the end of the scene)
Instead of staring at your manuscript wondering what should happen next, you can glance at your scene cards and instantly know where you’re headed.
Why Scene Cards Work (& Why You’ll Love Them)
Scene cards aren’t just about staying organized—they make sure your writing stays purposeful. No more filler scenes that meander aimlessly; every scene should develop characters, push the plot forward, or build tension—and scene cards help you catch the fluff before you waste time writing it. Struggling with pacing? Scene cards let you spot slow sections and adjust the tension before the middle of your book turns into a slog. Plus, they make tracking conflict easier—whether it’s internal struggles, external obstacles, or emotional tension, scene cards force you to define what’s at stake before you start writing. And if you ever realize a scene works better earlier in the story? No need for painful rewrites—just move the scene card and tweak the flow without wrecking your entire draft.
How to Create a Scene Card
Whether you’re using index cards, digital notes, or a whiteboard, a scene card should contain the following:
Scene Number – Helps keep track of order.
Scene Description – A short summary of what happens.
Location & Time – Where and when the scene takes place.
Characters Involved – Who’s in the scene? Who’s driving the action?
Purpose – Why does this scene exist? What role does it play in the story?
Conflict/Tension – The emotional or external conflict that keeps readers engaged.
Outcome – What changes by the end of the scene? (Does the protagonist make a decision? Does something go wrong? Does someone die?
Scene # __: Main Point: Subplot: Subplot: |
The Plot External Conflict | Cause
What Happened
Explain why it matters here
| Effect The Consequences Explain the Consequences here |
The Third Rail Internal Conflict | Why It Matters Explain why it matters here | The Realization
Explain why it matters here
And so?
|
A Quick Reminder About What The "Third Rail" Is
The “third rail” of storytelling, as described in my last blog The War Within vs. The Battles Outside: A Deep Dive into Internal & External Conflict, refers to the internal conflict that drives a character’s emotional journey. Just like the electrified third rail in a subway system powers the train, internal conflict powers the story—without it, the plot won’t move. While external events push the character forward, it’s their deep, unresolved inner struggle—their fears, desires, and misconceptions—that gives the story emotional depth and resonance. Without this internal charge, even the most action-packed plot will feel hollow.
Example of a Scene Card in Action
To show how this works in practice, here’s an actual scene card from The Glass Dagger, the book I’m currently working on. This scene follows Kyl, the protagonist, as he tries to buy a book—only to be reminded of his low status in a society that values lineage over merit.
Scene Number: 5
Scene Description: Kyl tries to buy a book but is refused due to his status.
Location: Carpenter’s shop.
Time: Late morning.
Characters: Kyl, the shopkeeper.
Purpose: Reinforce class disparity, deepen Kyl’s internal conflict, foreshadow later events.
Conflict/Tension: Kyl is humiliated and made to feel unworthy.
Outcome: Kyl skips his next lesson, reinforcing his belief that knowledge is for the privileged.
This isn’t just a summary—it tracks the emotional weight of the scene, ensuring it pushes Kyl’s character arc forward. His frustration at being denied knowledge doesn’t just disappear; it lingers, shaping his choices and driving his motivations throughout the story. By using scene cards, I can make sure that every moment contributes to the larger narrative instead of feeling like a one-off event.
Want to see this scene card in action with a downloadable template you can use for your own writing? Sign up for my newsletter and get exclusive access to my digital scene card template—plus other insider writing tips, resources, and sneak peeks at my books!
Plotters vs. Pantsers: Why Scene Cards Work for Both
Whether you’re a meticulous plotter or a free-spirited pantser (read my writing bestie's blog (Plotter Or Pantser? What Type Of Writer Are You?) here on what kind of writer you are, and what it means to be a plotter or a panster), scene cards can work for you. Plotters will love the way scene cards provide a structured roadmap while still allowing flexibility—scenes can be rearranged without unraveling the entire outline, pacing stays in check, and every moment serves a clear purpose. Meanwhile, pantsers can use scene cards on the fly, filling them out as they go rather than planning everything upfront. If a scene doesn’t work, no need for a major rewrite—just tweak the scene card instead. Plus, scene cards help keep track of what’s already written, preventing contradictions and keeping momentum strong, so you don’t accidentally send your character on a journey they already finished three chapters ago.
Scene cards are about guidance, not restriction. They’re like a compass, not a rulebook—helping you find your way without boxing you in.
Common Scene-Writing Mistakes (That Scene Cards Prevent)
One of the biggest scene-writing mistakes is aimlessness—if a scene doesn’t contribute to character growth, conflict, or plot progression, why is it there? Scene cards help prevent scenes with no tension or stakes, ensuring that something is always at risk, whether it’s a decision, a consequence, or a shift in power. They also stop repetitive character beats, where a character learns the same lesson five times, making the story feel stagnant. By tracking development and ensuring every scene serves a purpose, scene cards keep your narrative tight, engaging, and always moving forward.
Cause & Effect: Why Consequences Are Everything
If there’s one golden thread that keeps your story from unraveling into chaos, it’s consequence. Every choice a character makes, every action taken, every moment of hesitation or defiance—it has to mean something. Otherwise, your story starts to feel hollow. Like things just happen, but nothing really matters.
When filling out the “Outcome” section on your scene card, don’t just ask what happened. Ask:
What did this change—and what will it change?
Cause and effect are the glue between scenes. One event should create a ripple that influences what comes next. That ripple can take the form of:
External Consequences: A character lies—and now they’re being hunted. They steal a relic—and accidentally awaken an ancient power. They skip a meeting—and lose an ally. These are tangible, plot-driven results.
Internal Consequences: A character lashes out in fear—and later feels ashamed. They confess their love—and are now emotionally vulnerable. They fail a test—and question their worth. These emotional shifts fuel character development and deepen your story’s heart.
Both are important. External consequences move the plot; internal consequences move the character. Think of every scene like a domino. The moment it tips, the next domino must react. Otherwise, you’ve got a scene just standing there doing nothing.
So when you’re reviewing your scenes with your cards, ask:
What’s the cause that led to this moment?
What’s the effect it creates going forward?
How does the character feel about it—and how does that change their next choice?
Because without consequences, there’s no tension. Without tension, there’s no story. And without story… well, we’re just watching people do things for no reason.
Scene cards help you catch those gaps—so your characters don’t just do things… they live through them.
Writing Exercise: Now It's Your Turn To Build a Scene Card
Now that you understand how scene cards can keep your story focused and engaging, it’s time to put them into action. Whether you’re a meticulous plotter or a discovery writer who thrives on spontaneity, these exercises will help you refine your scenes, strengthen conflict, and ensure every moment on the page has a purpose. Let’s dive in and start shaping your story—one scene at a time!
Take a scene from your WIP and break it down into a scene card:
Write a one-sentence summary of what happens.
Identify the conflict/tension in the scene.
Write down the outcome—what changes by the end?
Does this scene move the story forward? If not, rethink its purpose.
Concluding Thoughts
Scene cards aren’t about micromanaging your writing—they’re about helping you keep focused and intentional. Whether you’re plotting in advance or figuring things out as you go, they help ensure that every scene earns its place in your story. And don't forget!
If you want an easy-to-use, downloadable scene card template to start tracking your own scenes, sign up for my newsletter! You’ll get exclusive access to this template and first dibs on writing resources, behind-the-scenes book content, and more.
So, if your manuscript ever starts wandering aimlessly like a lost child, scene cards might just be the GPS you need to get back on track.
Have you used scene cards before? If not, what’s one scene in your WIP that could benefit from breaking it down? Drop a comment below!
Happy writing!
—Bair✍︎
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