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Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/3639
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/3639
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

You have a scene already, right? John walks into the room, says something to Mary, Mary responds.

Now, close your eyes and put yourself into the room. Engage all your senses — one at a time, if this is unfamiliar work for you. Start asking yourself these kinds of questions:

- What does the room look like? How big is it? How does it connect to the other rooms in the house?
- What kind of furniture is in the room? Where is it? How new or old is it? What's the decorating scheme? Which of the characters decorated it?
- Are there magazines or books on the coffee table? Whose? What are they? Are they read or for show?
- Is the room tidy, messy, clean, dirty? Are there toys strewn everywhere or plastic on the couches?
- Is the floor wood, tile, linoleum, or a rug? Is it worn or new? 
- What's on the walls? Paintings, photos, art? What color are the walls? Paint or wallpaper? Is it peeling?
- Is it day or night? Where are the windows? How does the light fall in the room?
- What kind of lamps or lighting is in the room? Where do shadows fall? What kind of lightbulbs? What color light do they throw? Do they hum?
- Is the window open? What can you hear from outside? Traffic? Neighbors? Kids? Dogs? Birds? Insects? Sirens? Music? A parade? Explosions? 
- Is the TV or radio on? iTunes from someone's computer?
- What season is it? Is the heater or A/C going? What's the weather like outside?
- What are John and Mary wearing? Did he just come from the office? Was she working in the garage? Was he cooking? Did she just get out of the shower? Is this what they normally wear? 
- Does the kitchen smell of cookies or dinner or bleach? Are there fresh flowers in the house? Is she wearing too much perfume? Does he smell of engine oil?

You won't use all the information (_edit to clarify:_ all in this scene), but it will help you to get a sense of the physical place of your characters. Add in whatever is useful. Save the rest as notes if you return to the room and you need other information to add, or if you want to change something to demonstrate the passage of time or a character development.

Original score: 11