The use of Jack Bickham's (originally Dwight Swain's) Scene and Sequel are pretty common in genre driven fiction. You can see this pattern used in best sellers like the Bourne series and some of Tom Clancy's later works. These questions probably aren't perfect for every scene, but they should be helpful if you find yourself stuck. Once I have them compiled, I list out the questions I now ask for my final revision.

Enjoy!

Unit based questions (scene & sequel)

[S E T T I N G Q U E S T I O N S ]

What does this place feel like to the point of view character?

What specific aspects of the setting make him/her feel that way?

What does the character know of the history of the place?

What do they know about identifiable local attitudes?

What is the dominant source of light here? How bright is it? What is its color? How does it contribute to the feeling of the place?

What is the sense of space here? Is it cramped, vast, open, or closed?

What three characteristic sounds can you identify?

Is your sense of smell important in this setting?

Is there a central landmark or possible setting symbol?

What dramatic plot possibilities does this setting offer?

Is the character appropriate to the setting?

Describe the setting from both author and character perspective.

[S C E N E Q U E S T I O N S]

Whose viewpoint are we in for this scene?

What is that viewpoint characters goal?

What problem stands in the way of our character getting that goal?

What is the major source of conflict for the scene?

What is the characters goal for over coming that conflict? If that fails what will he do next?

If there is an antagonist in the scene, what is their goal? What will they try and do to accomplish it?

If it is not an antagonist, but a supporting character, what ways will that supporting character cause conflict?

What disaster will end the scene, keeping the character from reaching their goal? If not a disaster, then who will suffer for the scene?

[S E Q U E L Q U E S T I O N S]

Show how the character feels about the disaster from the last scene. Don't just internalize.

Let the character build a new game plan, maybe analyze what happened or externalize their thinking in some manor. They might even look back on past events and try to draw some conclusion from this.

Show the character coming to a new decision or new course of action. This must try to reach a new goal, since they've already failed at the old goal.

Also, what is the turning point for this scene or sequence?

What is the set-up?

What is the pay off?

What are our emotional transitions; negative to positve?

What are the primary choices or decisions made?