6-Step Fantasy Scene Structure That Hooks Readers
Struggling with how to write fantasy scenes that actually move your story forward?
You're not alone.
Many fantasy writers create chapters where characters talk or travel, but nothing meaningful changes. The result? Dragging pace, dropped tension, and stalled plots.
The solution is a six-step scene structure framework that ensures every scene pushes your story forward while deepening character development and raising stakes.
Why fantasy scene structure matters for story pacing
If your fantasy scenes feel flat or pointless, it's usually because:
The character doesn't want anything specific
There's no meaningful obstacle or conflict
The scene ends without changing anything important
This 6-step fantasy writing technique fixes all three issues. It works for any scene type: whether you're writing action sequences, romantic moments, political intrigue, or quiet character development scenes.
6-Step Fantasy Scene Structure That Hooks Readers
Step 1: Goal – What does your character want?
Every fantasy scene needs a clear, specific goal. Not a vague book-long objective like "defeat the empire." A concrete scene-level want that drives immediate action.
Examples of strong fantasy scene goals:
Escape the castle without being detected by guards
Learn who cursed the ancient temple
Convince the rebel leader to trust them with sensitive information
Retrieve the magical artifact before sunrise
Effective scene goals either advance your main plot or connect to your character's internal arc. The best goals do both simultaneously.
Pro tip: If your dialogue scenes feel like filler, it's probably because no character wants anything specific in that moment.
Step 2: Conflict – What's standing in their way?
Once you establish the goal, introduce resistance. Conflict in fantasy scenes can take multiple forms:
Types of fantasy scene conflict:
External conflict: Guards, enemies, time constraints, physical obstacles
Internal conflict: Fear, guilt, divided loyalties, moral dilemmas
Environmental conflict: Ancient curses, magical laws, sacred vows, supernatural barriers
The conflict should either escalate existing tensions or reveal something crucial about your character or world. Avoid random scuffles or artificial tension that doesn't serve your story.
Ask yourself: What's the most interesting and story-relevant form of resistance here?
Step 3: Disaster – What goes wrong?
This is where plans fail or unexpected complications arise. The disaster doesn't need to be catastrophic every time, but it should shift the scene's direction and raise stakes.
Fantasy scene disaster examples:
They escape the dungeon... but walk directly into a trap
They find the ancient map... but it's written in a dead language
The prince agrees to help... but a spy overhears and spreads dangerous rumors
The spell works... but attracts unwanted magical attention
The key is ensuring your disaster creates new problems rather than simply resolving existing ones.
Step 4: Reaction – How do they respond emotionally?
Before characters leap into action, give them a moment to react authentically. This emotional beat is crucial for character development and reader empathy.
Consider these reaction elements:
Emotional response: Fear, anger, regret, determination
Physical response: Freezing up, lashing out, retreating
Mental response: Planning, panicking, analyzing
You can keep this step brief, but skipping it entirely makes characters feel robotic and disconnects readers from the emotional journey.
Step 5: Dilemma – What hard choice does this create?
The disaster forces a difficult decision where something valuable must be sacrificed. This is where character growth happens and true priorities are revealed.
Fantasy dilemma examples:
Betray a trusted ally or fail the critical mission
Reveal a dangerous secret or protect themselves from consequences
Help their enemy survive or let an innocent person die
Use forbidden magic or accept defeat
Dilemmas should expose character flaws, test moral boundaries, and force meaningful change. The best dilemmas have no clear "right" answer.
Step 6: Decision – What do they choose next?
The character's choice creates a new goal, launching the next scene cycle. This decision should feel both inevitable (given the character) and surprising (to the reader).
Strong fantasy decision examples:
"I'll enter the cursed temple alone, despite the warnings"
"I can't trust the council—I'll gather intelligence secretly"
"The rebellion's methods are wrong. I'm switching sides"
"I'll break the ancient law to save them"
Every decision should fuel your next scene and advance your overall story momentum.
Fantasy scene structure example
Let's examine how this structure works in practice using The Hunger Games (Chapter 2) when Prim is selected at the Reaping:
The scene breakdown:
Goal: Katniss wants to protect her sister from all harm
Conflict: Prim is chosen as tribute, and normal intervention is impossible
Disaster: Prim walks toward certain death while Katniss remains powerless
Reaction: Pure panic, shock, and desperate maternal instinct
Dilemma: Watch her sister die or sacrifice herself instead
Decision: Katniss volunteers as tribute, changing everything
This single scene contains a complete character arc and becomes the entire story's launching point. The decision transforms both Katniss and the plot trajectory permanently.
When to modify the fantasy scene structure
⚠️ Not every fantasy scene requires all six steps. Treat this framework as a flexible guide rather than rigid rules.
Scene type variations:
Quiet reflection scenes might skip the "Disaster" step
Transition scenes may not need a "Dilemma"
Action sequences might compress Reaction and Dilemma into split-second decisions
Worldbuilding scenes could emphasize environmental conflict
The crucial element is change. If nothing shifts (plot, character understanding, or stakes) consider whether the scene belongs in your story.
Advanced tips for better fantasy scene writing
Start late, end early
Drop readers directly into action and conclude on turning points or revelations. Avoid lengthy setup or resolution within individual scenes.
Example: Instead of starting with "Kira woke up, got dressed, ate breakfast, and walked to the council chamber where she planned to confront Lord Valdris about the missing grain shipments," start with: "Kira slammed the ledger onto the council table. 'Where are the grain shipments, Valdris?'"
Then end the scene right after his shocking response reveals he's been selling them to fund a rebellion, rather than showing Kira walking home and reflecting on what happened.
Vary your scene types
Mix different scene purposes to maintain story pacing:
Plot advancement scenes: Move the main story forward
Character development scenes: Reveal internal growth or conflict
Worldbuilding scenes: Expand your fantasy setting
Relationship scenes: Develop character connections
Mystery/revelation scenes: Unveil crucial information
Use fantasy elements to deepen conflict
Let your magic systems, creatures, and world rules create unique obstacles. A curse that prevents lying adds complexity to negotiation scenes. Ancient magical laws can force impossible choices.
Link scene consequences
Each scene's decision should create ripples that affect future scenes. Strong fantasy stories show how choices compound over time.
Quick reference: The 6-step fantasy scene checklist
When you're stuck mid-scene, run through this checklist:
What do they want? (Specific, scene-level goal)
What's in the way? (Meaningful resistance)
What goes wrong? (Complications that raise stakes)
How do they react? (Emotional authenticity)
What's the hard choice? (Character-defining dilemma)
What do they do next? (Decision that launches forward momentum)
Once you've mastered individual scenes, you'll want to see how they fit into your overall story structure.
Want to make scene structure easier?
This 6-part fantasy scene structure is built right into my Notion Worldbuilding & Story Planning System.
Scene Purpose - Notion Scene Planner
Scene Structure Template - Notion Scene Planner
The scene planner includes fields like:
Purpose – so you always know what the scene is doing
Type – plot, worldbuilding, character, romance, etc.
POV + Characters – to stay consistent with voice and arc
Location + Related Chapter – to keep continuity tight
Beat + Description – so you can link directly to your outline
You can walk through the six steps (Goal → Conflict → Disaster → Reaction → Dilemma → Decision) and track them in context.
With this system, you’ll eliminate vague “something happens” scenes. You’ll have a fantasy story that flows and keeps readers hooked all throughout.
Frequently asked questions about fantasy scene structure
Is there a fantasy scene structure template I can follow while drafting?
Yes—and if you're tired of juggling sticky notes and Google Docs, I’ve built one. My Notion Worldbuilding & Story Planning System includes a fantasy scene structure template that walks you through every step: goal, conflict, disaster, reaction, dilemma, decision. It keeps your scenes tight and purposeful.
What’s a good example of a fantasy scene structure?
You’ll find them in almost every well-paced fantasy novel. One of the clearest examples is Katniss volunteering in The Hunger Games—the goal, conflict, disaster, and decision are all right there. I also break this scene down in the post above so you can see the full structure in action.
Do fantasy scene techniques work for worldbuilding scenes too?
Absolutely. Even if your scene is focused on lore or setting, fantasy scene techniques help keep it engaging. Introduce a goal (what are they trying to learn?), layer in conflict (language barriers, sacred rules, time pressure), and make sure something shifts by the end.
How long should each fantasy scene be?
There's no magic number, but most effective fantasy scenes run between 1,000-2,500 words. Short scenes (under 800 words) work great for high-tension moments or quick transitions. Longer scenes (3,000+ words) can handle complex negotiations or battle sequences. Focus on completing the emotional arc rather than hitting a word count.
Should every fantasy scene end on a cliffhanger?
Not every scene needs a cliffhanger, but every scene should end with forward momentum. This could be a new question, a changed relationship, a decision that creates consequences, or a revelation that shifts the character's understanding. The key is that readers feel compelled to keep going, not necessarily shocked.
