CW 65 W — Scene by Scene: The Building Blocks of Narrative
Quarter: Winter
Instructor(s): Deborah Johnson
Date(s): Jan 7—Mar 11
Class Recording Available: Yes
Class Meeting Day: Thursdays
Class Meeting Time: 12:00—1:00 pm (PT)
Tuition: $1040
Refund Deadline: Jan 9
Unit(s): 2
Enrollment Limit: 18
Status: Registration opens Nov 30, 8:30 am (PT)
Do you have an idea for a novel, memoir, or short story but feel overwhelmed by the task of completing it? This course demystifies the process by teaching you how to write "in scene." A great scene contains all the elements of a great story: a compelling hook, an arc, a transformation, and a clear ending. Each week, we will isolate one element of storytelling craft, looking at it within the context of a scene from a published novel or memoir. We will practice that week's craft point in a scene-writing assignment. You'll learn how to create compelling, complex characters, write dynamic and realistic dialogue, build your scene toward a focal point, and find the right ending. In our final weeks, we will learn how to string scenes together to create a larger dramatic arc. Each student will workshop a story or chapter. After learning to write scene by scene, you'll be able to write that book.