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The 60 Scene Rule

Most novels have about 60 scenes and three acts (like a screenplay). So, feel free to use this method to outline a screenplay as wellThe acts are a “series of sequences that culminate in a major turning point in a character’s life.” I wrote that down because Bernhardt said it twice.

  • Acts I and III have about 15 scenes each.
  • Act II is the longest, at 30 scenes.
  • Some novels have more scenes, some fewer. Some even have four acts.

Not convinced I agree with that at all, but a tool can only be judged by whether it gets you where you want to go or not, and maybe this will be useful. According to Dilloway, a novel is sixty scenes. It’s interesting.


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Published in marks