Writing Compelling Scenes with Justine Sullivan

This four-week class will focus on the art of crafting compelling scenes that captivate the reader and contribute to your story’s larger meaning. We’ll explore the craft techniques that contribute to propulsive scenes, like using dialogue to build tension and “thinking in pictures,” and we’ll read and discuss great scenes by terrific authors like Jesmyn Ward, Rumaan Alam, and Emily St. John Mandel. We’ll also spend time either workshopping a scene of our own or drafting something new using what we’ve learned. Writers of all experience levels will come away with a better grasp on how to build atmosphere, sustain tension, and contribute to their story’s greater purpose in every scene they produce. 

About the Instructor: Justine Sullivan

Justine Sullivan is a writer and editor who lives on the South Shore with her family and two dogs. She has written for The Boston Globe, Literary Hub, and her debut novel, He Said He Would Be Late, was published by Macmillan in March 2023. 

Materials

• Laptop or writing materials
• Reading materials will be provided by the instructor