Welcome back to The Pencil’s Edge.
Every story is driven by the protagonist’s transformation—whether they grow, break, or hold firm against life’s challenges. To keep readers invested in this journey, each scene must impact the protagonist in a meaningful way. In today’s post, we’ll explore Scene Impact on Protagonist, a Fictionary Story Element that helps writers track their protagonist’s emotional arc throughout the novel.
Why Is This Element Important?
A protagonist should never feel static. Even in scenes where they are not physically present, the events of the story should be moving them forward or pushing them back in their external and internal arcs.
The Scene Impact on Protagonist element ensures that every scene contributes to their growth, struggles, or setbacks—ultimately shaping who they become by the story’s end.
Without these emotional shifts, the protagonist risks feeling flat, predictable, or unconvincing, which can weaken the reader’s connection to them.
Using This Story Element
When evaluating each scene, ask:
- How does this scene affect the protagonist?
- Is the impact positive, negative, or neutral?
- Positive Impact (+): The protagonist moves closer to achieving their story goal or experiences an emotional win.
- Negative Impact (−): The protagonist faces a setback, an emotional blow, or a new obstacle.
- Neutral Impact (0): The scene has no real effect on the protagonist’s journey—this can signal a weak or unnecessary scene.
💡 Pro Tip: Even if the protagonist isn’t in a scene, their story goal should still be affected by what happens. If a scene has zero impact on the protagonist, it may not be necessary.
When to Give Advice
As an editor (or self-editor), use the Story Map to track how the protagonist’s emotional arc unfolds. Here’s when to step in:
1. The Protagonist Feels Flat or Unbelievable
- If a character seems emotionally disengaged, check whether they are reacting to the events around them.
- If they never struggle, doubt themselves, or show vulnerability, they might not feel relatable.
2. Too Many Similar Emotions in a Row
- If a protagonist has a series of “+” scenes, they may not be facing enough conflict or obstacles.
- If they have a string of “−” scenes, the story may feel too heavy or repetitive.
- A mix of highs and lows creates a compelling emotional arc.
3. Neutral Impact (Too Many ‘0’s)
- If a scene does not affect the protagonist in any way, question whether it belongs in the story.
- Every scene should either challenge the protagonist or give them momentum toward their goal.
Advice for Writers
When revising your manuscript, consider:
- Does the protagonist’s emotional arc match your original vision?
- Have they experienced incremental growth, setbacks, or breakthroughs?
- Are their emotional reactions appropriately timed?
- Example: If your protagonist starts off afraid of commitment, don’t have them suddenly embrace love too soon. Let them struggle with their fear before overcoming it at the right moment.
Final Review: Is the Emotional Journey Balanced?
Use the Story Map to check your protagonist’s emotional trajectory. A well-structured novel will have a mix of victories, failures, and moments of reflection to create a realistic and engaging character arc.
💡 Editor’s Tip: If the protagonist’s emotional journey feels off, consider adjusting the order of scenes or strengthening their reactions to key events.
By tracking Scene Impact on Protagonist, writers ensure that their protagonist’s journey is compelling, believable, and emotionally engaging—keeping readers invested until the very last page.
🚀 Next Up: We’ll dive into Characters in Motion, exploring how action and movement influence storytelling. Stay tuned!
The Pencil-Driven Life 