Scene Sequence: The scene sequence is NOT a chapter-by-chapter plan for the book. Instead, it establishes the major action of the book according to time. This timeline enables you to identify gaps in the novel, for example, the connection between your main action and subplots. What's most important is that you establish a sequence of events that will later be mapped out into separate chapters.

The scene sequence demands some major decisions: how are you going to resolve the conflict? Will you leave something open for a sequel? What will consolidate the characters for readers? How do you reach the right pitch of emotional and logical intensity without overdoing it? When do minor characters enter the book? How do you pace out the tension and the relief? Where do you do the psychobabble?

 
A recent graduate class at the University of Detroit Mercy produced the following scene sequence for a collaborative novel. Note their willingness to roughly map the action; it's a map toward the chapter sequence. The process for their novel -- and some remarkably beautiful chapters -- are available at www.culik.com/techno

SCENE SEQUENCE
(FINAL DRAFT)
  1. Tone piece – montage, nightmare.
  2. Leaving the United States – packing up – packs computer last and tries to send off an email to old friend Lee; after Ellen leaves, police are seen (not by her) kicking in the door of her home.
  3. Facility scene at Singapore – door closes behind her; undergoes psychological testing; she meets X.
  4. Island/scene/tour – goes for a drink with X; male off to side, watching her. Ellen dumps X at bar – slides off somewhere – snagged by an Asian guy who pulls her into a closet – it’s Inspector Lee.
  5. The dying of X – Lee kills X in front of Ellen and dumps body in the ocean; the tide takes the body out. FEAR for Ellen!!!
  6. Father reviewing results of the experiments: stats, etc. Discuss release . . . "Is she your daughter?", "Can you handle this?"
  7. Wise Ellen up via flashed information to her screen back at work (Lee is sending a wall command?).
  8. Ellen tests materials she’s been injecting and sees it’s nanotech machines, not biological viruses, confirming what Lee sent her; someone sees her do this and she becomes a prisoner.
  9. Lee finds out she’s trapped – busts her out (blackout?).
  10. On the run/hide – there is no pursuit, which is chilling – scrutiny – go to nature, Montana.
  11. Father takes responsibility, brings them into the know, tells them to shut up. (SOLVED DISEASE) Lee/Ellen try to rat out nano secret; dad’s head in a bag.
  12. Lee and Ellen go back to her dad’s office.
  13. Bigger picture – discover (creates exploitable disorder?).
PHASE II – Discovery that Lee was evil and was using her to do vindictive stuff, to bring about vindication of hacking world. Leave us alone!
  1. Government traces Lee through Ellen.
  2. Lee is using her to get information.
  3. Ellen realizes there are two competing evils – When??? How??? She reaches the point to enact Lee’s agenda, but refuses to perpetuate it (Buddhism relation – don’t be a part of it).