Writing Compelling Scenes

Register Here (tickets on sale from 9 October)

Presenter: Barbara Ashford
Sunday 11 December, 12-2 pm

This workshop will explore ways to help participants add tension, drama, and power to their scenes by:

  • reviewing the fundamentals of scene design–from overall shape to individual beats;
  • exploring the characteristics of effective scenes and the common pitfalls that can undermine their impact;
  • using changes in polarity and the answer to scene questions to analyze scene effectiveness;
  • identifying inner and outer turning points in a scene and using beats to deepen characterization, conflict, and emotional turning points;
  • discussing ways to hook readers and prompt them to turn the page.

About Barbara:

Barbara Ashford is the pseudonym of writer Barbara Campbell.

Barbara is the author of five novels published by DAW Books: the dark fantasy trilogy Trickster’s Game (Heartwood, Bloodstone, Foxfire) and the award-winning fantasy-romance Spells at the Crossroads (Spellcast, Spellcrossed). In addition to her fiction, Barbara has written book and lyrics for more than a dozen musicals, including Far from the Madding Crowd, which was optioned for Broadway.

Barbara has been an instructor with the Odyssey Writing Workshop for a decade and a member of its critique service for fifteen years. She is also a developmental editor, specializing in speculative fiction; her clients have won publishing contracts and awards, including Grand Prize in the Jim Baen Memorial Short Story Award.

Visit her dual selves at barbara-ashford.com and barbara-campbell.com.

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