Scene and Summary

“Show, don’t tell,” is a law most writers parrot and swear by, except a great story doesn’t consist of an equal amount of either. Scenes and summary are the building blocks of fiction, and discerning when to use which for the best effect impacts the story’s resonance. In this course, we’ll practice writing strong scenes and summaries, explore what the major turning points in a story can look like, address characterization and voice on drama and structure, study the ways time can be compiled and covered in fiction and nonfiction, as well as work on a variety of transitions that move the energy of a story from beginning to end. With the use of lectures, examples from published works, and practical workshops, you’ll receive guidance and a hands-on approach on generating a new short piece from start to finish, which will help you write stronger first drafts quicker.