THE ONE PAGE NOVEL SCENE SP

STAGE/
DESCRIPTION TIME / DATE PLACE
SCENE
The character or their world is in a state of
2. STASIS
stagnation.
A scene that shows how [NAME] lacks
1 [WANT/GOAL/NEED].
A scene that shows how [NAME] is [STASIS STATE].
2

3 A scene that shows how [NAME]’s world is [STASIS

STATE].
4
5
Something happens, or the character does something
4. TRIGGER
to set
A scene in which the story
[NAME] in motion.
tries to convince
1 someone that their [WANT/GOAL/NEED] is
important and urgent.
A scene in which a stranger comes looking for
2 [NAME] because
A scene in which of their [OCCUPATION].
a stranger comes looking for
3 [NAME] to settle an old score (which might relate
A
toscene in which a stranger comes looking for
an [OBSTACLE]).
4 [NAME] to help them gain/achieve their
[WANT/GOAL/NEED].
5
5. QUEST The character or one of their allies has a plan. For
better or worse, they decide to follow it.
[NAME] meets/is introduced to and gets to know
1
[NAME] and [NAME] (or an [OCCUPATION].
2 [NAME] travels to a new [LOCATION].
[NAME] successfully passes a threshold guardian to
3 enter
[NAME]new [LOCATION].
makes a plan, or has a plan thrust on them.
4 They’re not entirely convinced but it’s the best plan
they’ve got.
5 The plan is put into effect but is either only
partially successful or fails completely.
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
 The plan falls victim to a surprise attack, a set-back,
7. BOLT
or a diversion.
An attack takes [NAME] and their friends by
1
surprise. They retaliate to the best of their abilities.
A scene in which [NAME] is tempted by someone or
2 something and forgets their [WANT/NEED/GOAL].
A scene in which [NAME] doubts the true worth of
3 their [WANT/GOAL/NEED] or of their quest.
4 A scene in which [NAME] deals with a detour that
may or may not be directly related to their quest.
5
The character undergoes the essential change that
3. SHIFT
begins to transform them into their end state.
1 A scene which gives [NAME] a glimpse of the
[RESOLUTION
A scene in which STATE] and howunderstands
the character to achieve it.the
2 true nature of the [LOSS/SACRIFICE] or its
A scene into
necessity which [NAME]
achieving makes
their the choice to
[WANT/GOAL/NEED].
3 continue with the Quest, despite past and present
[OBSTACLE] and future [LOSS/SACRIFICE].
4
5
8. DEFEAT The jaws of defeat. All hope is lost. Allies fall and the
quest now seems impossible.
1 [NAME] makes the [LOSS/SACRIFICE].
2 [OBSTACLE] piles upon [OBSTACLE].
3 [NAME] and allies are faced with the greatest
[OBSTACLE] yet.
The quest seems impossible as all allies are
4
captured or lost.
5 [NAME] undergoes literal or symbolic death.
6. POWER AThe character
scene in whichfinds the power
[NAME] within
realises thatthemselves
a piece of to
change and complete the quest.
information, a skill or a power they have within
1 themselves (and have had all along) allows them to
achieve
A scene their [WANT/GOAL/NEED]
in which or defeatfate,
[NAME] fulfils a prophecy, their
or
2 enemy.
the expectations of their loved ones.
3 [NAME] takes on a new name, epithet or rank.
4 [NAME] gains new admirers, followers or friends
who are drawn to their power.
5
The character has reached their new state, which is
1. RESOLUTION
the opposite of their Stasis state.
A scene that shows how [NAME] has
1
gained/accomplished [WANT/GOAL/NEED].
2 A scene that shows how [NAME] is [RESOLUTION
STATE].
[NAME] celebrates victory with [NAME]. They
3
remember the allies they lost.
4 [NAME] inhabits [LOCATION] that is representative
of the new world.
5

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NOVEL SCENE SPREADSHEET

CUMULATIVE
CHARACTER 1 CHARACTER 2 SUBPLOT WORD COUNT
WORD COUNT
5,000 5,000
1,000 1,000

1,000 2,000

1,000 3,000
1,000 4,000
1,000 5,000
5,000 10,000
1,000 6,000
1,000 7,000
1,000 8,000
1,000 9,000
1,000 10,000
15,000 25,000
1,000 11,000
1,000 12,000
1,000 13,000
1,000 14,000
1,000 15,000
1,000 16,000
1,000 17,000
1,000 18,000
1,000 19,000
1,000 20,000
1,000 21,000
1,000 22,000
1,000 23,000
1,000 24,000
1,000 25,000
 5,000 30,000
1,000 26,000
1,000 27,000
1,000 28,000
1,000 29,000
1,000 30,000
5,000 35,000
1,000 31,000
1,000 32,000
1,000 33,000
1,000 34,000
1,000 35,000
5,000 40,000
1,000 36,000
1,000 37,000
1,000 38,000
1,000 39,000
1,000 40,000
5,000 45,000
1,000 41,000
1,000 42,000
1,000 43,000
1,000 44,000
1,000 45,000
5,000 50,000
1,000 46,000
1,000 47,000
1,000 48,000
1,000 49,000
1,000 50,000

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