workshop for authors:

Write way better scenes

Write better scenes for the rest of your life with these three 90-minute live sessions

Good scenes are the building blocks of great books

Too often, writers settle for subjective opinions about what makes a scene “work.” They don’t know that there are actually objective criteria you can apply to a scene to ensure it’s riveting and know how to fix it when it’s not.

LEARN THE SKILLS

In three 90-minute sessions, developmental editors Anne Hawley and Rachelle Ramirez will lead you through the practical steps it takes to write amazing scenes that will have readers hungry to turn the page.

Image of a hand holding a lightbulb

The Workshop

Anne and Rachelle will illuminate what makes a great scene. Using movie clips, examples of master scenes and analysis of scenes that need work, you’ll learn how to analyze a scene and get practical and applicable tips for diagnosing and editing your own scenes. There will be plenty of time in each session for Q&A.

 meet your instructors

Image of Anne Hawley, developmental editor

anne hawley

Developmental Editor

When she's not editing stories, Anne is writing them, reading them, researching them, or analyzing them. She specializes in helping writers discover the heart of the story they’re trying to tell so that they can tell it more beautifully. She can often be seen riding her Dutch bike Eleanor around Portland. She's the author of Restraint, a love story set in 19th Century London.

Image of Rachelle Ramirez, developmental editor

Rachelle Ramirez

Developmental Editor

Rachelle helps writers develop their stories and believes stories are our most important catalyst for change. She has an MA in psychology from Goddard College and attended the School of the Art Institute of Chicago's Masters in Creative Writing Program on a merit scholarship. Before becoming a developmental editor, she served as a mental health counselor and as the executive director of a national writing community.

 The sessions

In three 90-minute sessions, you'll learn what a working scene is made of, how to spot problems in your own scenes and how to fix them.

  • Session 1: The Five Scene Essentials. Anne will explain the backbone of a working scene and you'll limber up your scene-analysis skills by watching and analyzing clips from three films. 

  • Session 2: Working Scenes. Anne and Rachelle will take you through example scenes from published stories as you learn to spot the five essential elements in written form. 

  • Session 3: Scenes That Don't Work and How to Fix Them. Rachelle will introduce the three main rookie mistakes in writing a scene. You'll read non-working scenes by unpublished writers and figure out how to fix them.

 What to Expect

  1. Once your payment is received, you’ll create a log on and gain immediate access to the pre-recorded workshop and bonus materials.

  2. You’ll keep access to the workshop for one year.

have a question about this workshop?

Send an email and we’ll get you an answer ASAP.

 What writers are saying

"That was fu**ing great! Today, I returned to drafting—and found that I'm feeling more comfortable with the process, and enjoying it more. I especially appreciate the repeated advice to leave shit out! And dispense with unnecessary exposition. I've found both ideas freeing."

—Helen Zuman, author of Mating in Captivity

"This is an incredibly thoughtful AND useful workshop, and well worth the price... Thank you—I know my story is going to be greatly improved by listening to all you had to share."

—Sherri Wynn, Ed.D.

"Your advice is clear, concise and easily applied. Thank you for the tools."

—Blair Mader

"I really enjoyed the course, especially the interactive analysis, and the Q&A sessions were great. This webinar has real value and is well organized, unlike so many I've attended. Great work!"

—Bob Mueller

"I loved this course. I think I've been looking for guidance like this and it is a way to approach my writing after my initial draft. I'm excited to apply what I've learned to my own writing... Honestly, thanks so much—I'm thrilled that I chose to join this course."

—Elizabeth Dial

 Register Now

Please note: Investing real dollars in growing your career strengthens your commitment and gets you better results. therefore, no refunds will be issued. For full terms and conditions, click here.

have a question about this workshop?

Send an email and we’ll get you an answer right away.