Workshop
Great Scenes
Mega Course
$25
Learn to write powerful scenes, each of which has its own drama and character development, contributes to the overarching story, and strategically connects to all other story events. Write with variety, purpose, and attention to pacing and mood.

Barbara Vance
Instructor
27
lessons
3h 6m
video runtime
3
downloads
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Course Description
Designing a story can sometimes seem overwhelming. We may have an idea of the overarching plot, but now we have to break that into smaller components. Where to begin? How does each scene work on its own, and how do you string them together? This workshop addresses all of this and more.
Writing a story is all about creating an emotional and mental experience for a reader or viewer. This means we strategically navigate her through moments of tension (aka. Suspense) and release. You do the same thing on a scene level. Each scene can be thought of as a mini-plot, which means we need to consider each on its own and as part of a larger family.
This workshop addresses:
- The many ways to make scenes suspenseful from start to finish
- How to ensure purposeful character development that builds throughout the story
- How to set up what each scene is meant to achieve in the overarching story
- How to start and complete a scene in a variety of ways
- How writing Establishing a compelling setting and overarching story mood who want things that are not good or good for them can heighten drama
- Pacing your story
- How to analyze scenes you love and learn what makes them work
- And more!
This course includes
- An extensive class outline to follow along with the video lessons
- A workbook that helps you plan your scenes and plot them beat by beat
- An annotated literary excerpt to read and then follow along with the video lesson
Students have course access for 365 days. All worksheets and notes are downloadable.

What's Inside
This course includes extensive notes to follow along with the video lessons, a workbook that will get you started planning your scenes, and an annotated literary excerpt with my observations about what the author is accomplishing in the scene.
Course Content

What People Are Saying
“Not everyone who can do it, can teach it. I’ve watched hours of masterclasses, tutorials and online lessons on writing and I must say that this course is a breath of fresh air. Barbara is a gifted teacher, the way she explains topics, the exercises and even the work sheet provided make this a truly engaging experience.”

Selorm
Student
“Barbara is very energetic and passionate about the subject material and did a marvelous job in getting me interested in a type of writing that I normally pay no attention to. (I am normally only interested in fantasy and SciFi settings). The class project also seems like it is going to be a lot of fun (I am doing it after writing this review). I highly recommend this course to anyone interested in writing. I personally got more out of it than you would get in a $1,800 college class on the subject of creative writing.”

Adrian
Student
“This course was beyond helpful! Barbara really dug deep into the nitty gritty of scenes and how planning them the right way will have a powerful impact on the plot itself. I gained so much from this course and I’m ever so grateful to Barbara for the incredible amount of time and effort she has gone through to make such an informative resource available to us!”

Alexis
Student
“This was just what I needed. Sometimes you’re afraid of not knowing exactly how to write a scene that is both intriguing and fun for the reader. The way she explains every detail of it is just phenomenal. All my silly questions were answered.”

Aliyah
Student
“If you’re interested in creative writing you want the class to be as long as it is because the instruction is so clear, practical, and well-structured. Well-worth viewing.”

Mitchell
Student
“Barbara Vance is the first teacher I’ve ever quoted to friends. I imagine weekly chats over tea would be a source of great pleasure.”

Eden
Student
“Excellent information. Be sure to have enough time to not only view the course but to process the information. I had to take a few breaks to get through it all, but it was WELL worth it!”

Foster
Student
“I loved the way the teacher teaches. I cried when I read The Little Princess story at the moment when Becky hides under the table.”

Nguyen
Student
“This class is choc-a-block full of extremely useful information. I really enjoyed this class, as I did all of Barbara’s classes. I would highly recommend this class.”

Nicola
Student
“This one is a must-watch for every writer. I recommend you watch it three times, just to get it all. I found it sad that I couldn’t find any other courses covering these topics.”

Damien
Student
“Thank you, Barbara, your classes are the best online writing classes I’ve ever watched and I’ve watched tons of them.”

Misty
Student
“Another amazing course from Barbara Vance!”

Jace
Student
“I have loved every lesson from Ms. Vance. Thank you.”

Paige
Student
“Really wonderful class. Good job, Barbara!!!”

Ava
Student
“Long class, but VERY informative!”

Carter
Student
“Just great.”

Lucas
Student
“Very helpful class!!”

Rachel
Student
“Awesome!”

David
Student
“Learned a lot.”

Carney
Student
Barbara Vance, PhD
I am a writer and instructor who has been blessed to help thousands of writers bring their stories to life.
My degrees include a B.A. in literature, an MA in Literature and Creative Writing, and a PhD in storytelling and media. Prior to launching my own company, I taught writing and storytelling at a tier-one university.
Over the past sixteen years I have developed a widely acclaimed collection of courses designed to help writers develop their stories, stay on track, and finish what they start . . . even while juggling busy careers and a family.
I am also the author of a multi-award-winning poetry collection, and my poems are licensed for use in anthologies and curricula around the world.

No Risk 7-day, Money-back Guarantee
If you take the course and don’t feel like it helped, simply reach out to us, show us you have made an effort, and we will refund your full investment.
