You’ve tried taking a break, writing whatever comes to mind, starting with another chapter, but still, nothing. If that sounds like you, our scene ideas (with AI’s help) can get you out of that creative block.
Scene Ideas for Your Protagonist
Your protagonist needs moments that challenge them, shake them up, force them to act, or feel something new. We’re not saying every scene should be full of drama, but if nothing happens to the main character, the story will be flat.
Use this AI prompt to get scene ideas for your protagonist:
I am writing a novel about [insert a short summary of your story].
My protagonist is [insert main character info].
Please generate scene ideas that will push my protagonist out of his/her comfort zone. Scene Ideas for Plot Twists
A good plot twist should not come out of nowhere. It should gradually and quietly build up before the big reveal.
Of course, it should also change the direction of the story. Remember, not all stories need a telenovela-style secret evil twin. Focus on creating a moment that shakes up your characters and gives the reader a reason to keep reading.
Enter this prompt to have plot twist scene ideas:
I am writing a novel about [insert a short summary of your story]. Please generate scene ideas that will change the direction of the story. Scene Ideas for Plot Development
Every conversation, action, or big surprise should make the plot move forward. To do that, your scenes should bring depth and lead to a chain reaction.
Move your story’s plot forward by using this prompt:
I am writing a novel about [insert a short summary of your story].
The plot is [insert your plot]
Please generate scene ideas that will move my plot forward. Scene Ideas for Your Villain/Antagonist
If you want to create a memorable villain that readers end up obsessed with, you need to give them scenes that show they’re more than just the opposite of the protagonist.
Enter this prompt to get scene ideas for your villain or antagonist:
I am writing a novel about [insert a short summary of your story].
The plot is [insert your plot]
My villain is a [insert villain info]
Please generate scene ideas that will make my villain more memorable. Scene Ideas for Your B Plot
The B plot is the secondary storyline of your story, which brings context, contrast, or pressure to the main plot.
It can be about romance, family issues, or any other personal struggle. What’s most important is that you should intertwine your B plot with the A plot.
If you want to build a great B plot, check out our AI-powered B plot storytelling guide.
I am writing a novel about [insert a short summary of your story].
The A plot is [insert your A plot info]
The B plot is [insert your B plot info]
Please generate scene ideas for my B plot. My B plot should be intertwined with my A plot. Scene Ideas for Your Story’s Inciting Incident
The inciting incident is the moment near the beginning of your story when everything changes. This scene has great importance; it sets the tone of your story, raises the stakes, and gives your reader a reason to care and keep reading.
What makes a strong inciting incident?
- It disrupts your character’s everyday life.
- It introduces the central conflict (or teases it).
- It forces your character to react.
I am writing a novel about [insert a short summary of your story].
My main character's life is [insert info]
Please generate scene ideas for my story's inciting incident. Consider scene ideas that will
- Disrupt my character's everyday life.
- Introduces the central conflict (or teases it).
- Forces your character to react.Scene Ideas for the Climax
The climax is when the tension hits its peak, and your character is forced to face the thing they’ve been running from.
A great climax is personal, showing that the conflict has internal consequences; it makes your character think and choose, and it ends by leading to a great change, for good or for bad.
I am writing a novel about [insert a short summary of your story].
My main character is a [insert info] and his/her internal conflict is [insert info]
Please generate scene ideas for my story's climax. Consider a climax scene that:
- Will lead to a great change (for good or for bad)
- Compel the main character to go out of his/her comfort zone
- Move the story forward
- With internal and external consequences for my main characterScene Ideas for the Ending
The climax is an essential part of the story, but the ending is just as important. There are different types of endings. Here are the most common:
- Happy ending: The conflict is resolved and your character gets what they wanted or needed.
- Bittersweet ending: Something is gained, but something is lost.
- Cliffhanger: You leave the door wide open. This is great for series, but it only works if it feels intentional.
- Full circle ending: The story ends where it began, but your character is not the same. It mirrors the beginning but with emotional depth.
- Open-ended: The story finishes without tying everything up and readers are free to ‘guess’ what happens to the story.
- The unexpected but inevitable ending: The one that surprises readers.
I am writing a novel about [insert a short summary of your story].
My main character is a [insert info] and his/her internal conflict is [insert info]
The climax of the story is [insert info]
Please generate ending scene ideas. Consider the different types of ending:
- Happy ending
- Bittersweet ending
- Cliffhanger
- Full circle ending
- Open-ended
- The unexpected but inevitable endingScene Ideas for Your Story’s Genre
The genre of your story sets scene expectations. For example, a thriller promises tension, a romance promises connection, and a fantasy promises wonder. If your scenes don’t fit your genre, everything will feel confusing.
This doesn’t mean you need to follow the clichés of the genre, but you should respect the emotional tone your genre leans on.
Here are a few examples of genre-aligned scenes:
For Romance:
- A “we shouldn’t, but we will” moment.
- A fight where both characters say things they don’t mean
- A soft, quiet moment where one character helps the other with something small but meaningful.
For Thriller:
- Your protagonist gets a threatening note.
- They realize someone they trust is lying but can’t confront them yet.
- A scene where time is running out, and one wrong move could kill someone.
For Fantasy:
- A ritual gone wrong, awakening something ancient.
- A hidden room in a magical library filled with secret books.
For Coming-of-Age:
- A character breaks a family rule, feeling guilty but free.
- A night where everything feels endless and they realize it’s the last time they’ll ever feel like a kid.
I am writing a novel, which falls under [insert genre] genre. It is about [insert a short summary of your story].
Please generate scene ideas appropriate to my story's genreScene Ideas With a Specific Emotion
Scenes that are driven by a specific emotion help you show who your characters really are, create moments that stick, and even make big plot turns hit harder.
Take a look at these examples of emotionally-driven scenes:
- Fear: Your character is forced to revisit a place they swore they’d never return to.
- Joy: Something tiny and ordinary goes exactly right.
- Anger: A trusted friend betrays your character, and they don’t even deny it.
- Sadness: A character pretends they’re okay until they’re alone.
- Hope: After everything, they let themselves believe it might still work out.
I am writing a novel about [insert a short summary of your story].
My main character is a [insert info] and his/her internal conflict is [insert info]
Please generate scene ideas that will trigger [fear/joy/anger/sadness/hope]Scene Ideas Without Dialogue
Writing a no-dialogue scene forces you to show, not tell, which is one of the most powerful tools of storytelling. Plus, adding scenes without dialogue is necessary to have a good balance between what is happening and what is said.
I am writing a novel about [insert a short summary of your story].
My main character is a [insert info] and his/her internal conflict is [insert info]
Please generate scene ideas that doesn't need dialogue to move the story forward. Scene Ideas With Dialogue
Of course, dialogues are also needed. A great dialogue scene does at least one of these:
- Reveals character.
- Builds tension.
- Shifts power.
- Delivers conflict or connection.
I am writing a novel about [insert a short summary of your story].
My main character is a [insert info] and his/her internal conflict is [insert info]
Please generate scene ideas that needs a dialogue. These scene ideas should:
- Add depth to my main character
- Build tension
- Shift power
- Deliver conflict or connectionBefore You Write That Next Scene
You don’t need to wait for the perfect idea to strike. Try our scene prompts! If you need more scene ideas or if you tried one that finally unlocked your story, drop a comment. We’d love to hear what you’re working on!