Mastering Scene
Course Description
Being “in scene” is where storytelling comes alive on the page. It’s where readers feel, understand, and enter a story’s world—where we experience deeper emotional truths. Where magic happens.
Structure
This eight-week workshop teaches you the essential elements of compelling scene construction—the foundation of memorable storytelling. You will learn to create authentic characters, weave exposition seamlessly into narrative, and build scenes that draw readers into the story world and keep them engaged page after page.
Each class session will include:
- Study of effective published scenes
- Analysis exercises mapping scene and expository techniques
- Scene writing practice
- Supportive read-alouds of new work
- Collaborative workshopping of participants' pieces
- Q&A on scene craft and technique
Course Outcome
By the workshop's end, you'll have developed a compelling narrative scene and gained the confidence to craft stories that invite readers in and hold their attention.
Prerequisites: Open to writers of all levels working in fiction, memoir, or creative nonfiction. Some previous writing experience helpful but not required.
This class is on ZOOM. We will send you the link.
About the Instructor
Becky Ellis's debut memoir, Little Avalanches (Regalo Press, 2024), won the Rubery Book Award for Best Nonfiction Book of the Year and was a finalist for the Oregon Book Award. Her work has appeared in Northwest Review, The Ethel, Best Small Fictions, Psychology Today, and others.
Find out more about her at beckyellis.net.
