Instructor: Len Leatherwood
Maximum Enrollment: 8
Class Term: 08/01/2022 - 08/28/2022
Tuition/Fees
SCN Member: $120
Non-Member: $160
Class synopsis
Want to have a better understanding of how to write a scene? Need some help getting a clearer picture of what a scene is comprised of and what each scene's purpose needs to be? Well, this is a back-to-the-basics class to either teach or remind you of how exactly to craft strong scenes for your stories, memoirs or novels. Over four weeks, we'll learn specific techniques to give you confidence in your writing. Come join me for some scene craft fun.Class description
This class will use Crafting Scenes by Raymond Obstfeld (a tried and true book) to learn the specifics of how to write effective scenes. We will explore scene length, point of view, character, setting, beginnings and ending so that you can be more confident when writing scenes. Learning to craft scenes is an essential skill for a writer. This course will give you the chance to dive in and study scene craft so that your stories (of whatever length and genre) are stronger and more powerful.
Class goals
1) Learn what is and is not a scene.
2) Learn how to start a scene and how to end one.
3) Learn the purpose of scenes.
4) Understand how to focus a scene on character, plot or theme.
5) Build confidence in overall scene craft.
Class communication method
A weekly 1 1/2 hour Zoom meeting on Mondays at 6 - 7:30 pm Central time. Readings from Crafting Scenes by Raymond Obstfeld as well as optional supplemental readings. Weekly assignments in writing scenes in order to practice what we're learning.Class outline
Week One:
Introduction to crafting scenes. Determining what a scene is and what it isn’t. Also, learning about the different types of scenes and the key elements of an opening line.
Week Two:
We will read about the criteria for scene length, explore the options for point of view, and learn how to effectively use the setting.
Week Three:
We will read about the different ways to effectively end a scene; decide whether to focus a scene on character, plot, or theme; and how to make payoff scenes really pay off.
Week Four:
We will read about the different ways to effectively introduce characters; as well as how to write scenes filled with action and suspense.
Class time commitment
1 1/2 hour Zoom call weekly plus 1-2 hours per week to work on scenes outside of class.Instructor bio
Len Leatherwood, the Program Coordinator for SCN’s Online Classes program and current president of Story Circle Network, has been teaching writing privately to students in Beverly Hills for the past 21 years. She is a nationally recognized writing coach as well as an award-winning author. Len has published work in flash fiction and nonfiction and has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize. Her blog, 20 Minutes a Day, can be found at lenleatherwood.com.
