In this session of the Writers CAFÉ, we discussed chapters 10-14, pages 101-146, specifically the last full paragraph on page 124. There Karr talks about her first drafts starting with information, which later get herded “into a remembered or living scene.” What do you attempt to accomplish in your first draft of a story?

Eve Wile then told us about her process of using scene cards, which she learned from Lisa Cron, author of Story Genius.

This first involves being clear on the purpose and necessity of the scene and completing a scene card, which includes the following:

• What happens (cause)?
• What’s the consequence (effect)?
• Why does it matter?
• What is learned and/or realized?

Eve went on to describe how she answers ten questions about each scene. This is a tool Eve uses to flush out her scenes and ensure she isn’t just recounting events.

These are the ten questions taken from Lisa Cron’s process Eve spelled out for us:

1. Is it clear where we are?
2. Does the scene affect the protagonist’s overarching agenda?
3. What does the protagonist want to happen in the scene?
4. What does the protagonist expect will happen?
5. What is at stake in the scene?
6. Is there an external conflict?
7. Does the scene force the protagonist to make a meaningful choice?
8. Are your protagonist’s thoughts on the page as he/she struggles to make his/her choice?
9. What does the protagonist realize at the end of the scene?
10. Will the consequences of the scene play forward? Is it clear?

Watch the video and hear Eve explain her process using this format.