Scene Writing Bootcamp for Nonfiction Writers

Class Description

Are you trying to create vivid, dramatic scenes for your essays, creative nonfiction, memoir and other personal narratives but don't know how? In this course, we'll look at great examples of scenes —what I call "live moments"—where things are happening, characters are interacting, stuff is being said, action is going on, and big things change. Learning from master writers like Jaquira Diaz, Michelle Kuo, Cheryl Strayed, and others, you'll see how to shape your scenes so they have a beginning, middle, and end as well as a turning point that ups the drama. We'll also look at how to deftly interweave necessary expository information and deep passages of interior monologue and reflection into your scenes. During in-class exercises, we'll practice some techniques and write new scintillating scenes you can apply to a current writing project.

Class Format

This class will take place using Zoom videoconferencing. About 15 minutes before your class is scheduled to begin, you'll receive an email from your instructor with a link to join the class meeting!

Scholarship Information

Thanks to the excellent literary citizenship of our donors, scholarships are available for all GrubStreet classes. To apply, click the gray "APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIP" button. In order to be considered for a scholarship, you must complete your application at least one week before the start date of a class. Please await our scholarship committee's decision before registering for the class. We cannot hold spots in classes, so the sooner you apply, the better. Scholarships cannot be applied retroactively.

For more more detailed information about GrubStreet scholarships, including how to contribute to scholarship funds for other students, click here.