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Scene by Scene: The Secret to Writing Unforgettable Fiction

Name: Scene by Scene: The Secret to Writing Unforgettable Fiction
Rating: 4.6 (275 reviews)

Master the art of scene writing to create novels, memoirs, and short stories that readers can't put down

Bestseller

Created byJessica Brody, Writing Mastery, Jordan Rosenfeld

Last updated 12/2024

English

What you'll learn

Identify and apply the six key components of great scenes
Hook readers from the first line with expert Scene Launch techniques
Create irresistible momentum through the heart of your scenes
Build and release tension like a pro
End scenes in ways that leave readers craving more
Infuse your scenes with authentic emotion using "Character Cues"
Master the art of pacing to keep readers engaged
Add depth to your scenes with subtext
Confidently craft compelling stories, scene by scene

Course content

8 sections • 40 lectures • 3h 26m total length

Welcome and What to Expect3:18
Learn to craft powerful scenes that drive plot, reveal characters, and build worlds, one scene at a time, using a proven step-by-step method that enhances storytelling.
How This Course Works5:07
Learn to design and enhance scenes using their four basic parts. Apply emotion, pacing, and subtext to elevate writing and storytelling.
Download the Scene Crafter's Workbook0:54
Exercise: Write Your Starter Scene4:30

What is a Scene?1:51
Discover how a scene functions as a contained unit with its own beginning, middle, and end, driven by action, to break plots into manageable pieces and bring stories to life.
Full Scene Example #11:36
Introduction to Basic Scene Design1:40
Learn the four-part scene design—launch, middle, dramatic moment, ending—to pace, engage readers, and revise your starter scene using the From Behind the Lie example.
The Launch13:07
Launch your scene by quickly establishing the main character, initiating action, defining a clear goal, and orienting readers in the setting, using action and dialogue to show, not tell.
The Middle6:33
In the middle, complicate the scene goal and raise tension with obstacles that challenge the protagonist, using conflict, uncertainty, withholding, and danger to propel toward the dramatic moment.
The Dramatic Moment4:49
The Ending7:14
Exercise: Analyze Example #29:06
Apply the basic scene design to Addie LaRue's historical fantasy scene, identify the four parts—launch, middle, dramatic moment, end—and analyze goal, action, tension, and dialogue.
Extra Exercise: Analyze More Scenes1:17
Analyze additional scenes using the basic scene design checklist from the Scene Crafters workbook, annotate how each element works, and apply these insights to revise your own starter scenes.
Exercise: Revise Your Starter Scene12:30

Introduction to Emotions & Character Cues7:40
Elevate scenes by applying emotion through character cues: physical action, sensory, image, dialogue, thought, and other cues. Balance surface and subset feelings to deepen readers' investment and avoid flat narration.
Physical Action Cues6:06
Sensory Cues5:28
Explore how sensory cues convey emotion through touch, smell, sound, sight, and taste. Use bodily sensations to reveal surface and subset feelings without explicit telling.
Image Cues5:57
Learn how image cues use visual analogies and metaphors to bypass the intellectual mind and speak to the reader’s subconscious, conveying mood, foreshadowing, and emotion.
Dialogue Cues5:52
Explore dialogue cues as one of the six character cues to convey emotion, reveal relationships and beliefs, and advance plot without relying on exposition.
Thought Cues6:31
Explore how thought cues reveal emotions by weaving inner reflections into narrative, balancing pace, and using third or first person to hint guilt, fear, or desire.
Other Character Cues6:36
Exercise: Emotion Practice Round8:11

Introduction to Pacing1:12
Explore scene pacing by examining how action speed shapes engagement, identify pacing killers that bore or rush readers, and apply fix strategies plus practice rounds.
Pacing Killers that Bore the Reader13:46
Identify pacing killers such as excessive reflection and filler exposition, and revise scenes to reveal new discoveries with grounded detail, improving rhythm and momentum.
Pacing Killers that Rush the Reader5:22
Exercise: Pacing Practice Round #1 - Speed Things Up2:03
Exercise: Pacing Practice Round #2 - Slow Things Down2:13

Introduction to Subtext2:43
Learn how subtext conveys the underlying message of a scene, using clues, prior events, and five types: imagery, character behavior, dialogue, setting, and withholding, to deepen fiction.
Subtext Through Imagery3:09
Explore how subtext emerges through visual imagery by painting subtle pictures with descriptive words that reveal rot and decay, guiding readers to read between the lines alongside the characters.
Subtext Through Character Behavior3:39
Subtext Through Dialogue2:55
Subtext Through Setting3:36
Identify subtext as the undercurrent of scenes and convey it through setting—weather, colors, props, and meaningful locations—to shape mood and the scene's outcome.
Subtext Through Withholding3:39
Exercise: Subtext Practice Round3:49
Explore subtext strategies in scene writing by choosing a subtext type, selecting prompts, and crafting scenes that convey hidden meaning through imagery, setting, dialogue, or withholding.

How Scenes Connect8:26
Make every scene a consequence or sequel to the last, building a causal chain with new plot information and scene inventory, and transitions that re-invite readers.
Exercise: Continue the Story!1:01
Continue one of your scenes by writing the next scene that follows it, using launch, middle, dramatic moment, and ending while weaving the sequel with transition and new plot information.

Requirements

A notebook and pen/pencil or a computer/tablet for exercises

Description

“OMG this course gave me so much clarity and confidence in my writing.” – Brittney H. (Udemy student)

“I wish I had taken her course sooner. Now, I feel more confident. I can't wait to start punching at the keyboard for my first draft.” – Marcelo B. (Udemy student)

Have you ever felt the frustration of pouring your heart into your writing, only to find the words on the page pale in comparison to the vivid story in your mind?

It's like envisioning a breathtaking technicolor sunset, but ending up with a basic black-and-white sketch. Something essential gets lost in translation.

If this resonates with you, you're not alone. It's a common struggle for writers at all levels.

Here's why: Most writing advice focuses on either the big picture (like plot and character arcs) or the minute details (like word choice and sentence structure). But they miss the crucial middle ground where the real magic of storytelling happens:

The scene.

This realization inspired us to collaborate with scene-writing expert Jordan Rosenfeld, author of bestselling craft books like Make a Scene and Writing Deep Scenes, to create this game-changing course.

Whether you're crafting novels, short stories, memoirs, or narrative non-fiction, this course will elevate your scene-writing skills to new heights.

What makes this course unique?

Step-by-step strategies for writing powerful, dynamic scenes
Practical templates you can use again and again
Insightful tips drawn from years of writing experience
Illuminating examples from popular novels

Here's your step-by-step roadmap to mastering scene writing:

Start with our "Starter Scene" writing prompt to assess your current skills
Discover the essential components of great scenes with our Basic Scene Design Checklist
Enhance your scenes using the three most impactful tools: Emotion, Pacing, and Subtext
Practice combining all your new skills to write an enhanced scene from scratch
Learn the art of seamlessly transitioning between scenes to create a cohesive, unforgettable story

As you progress, you'll revise your Starter Scene using your newly acquired skills, so you can see your progress unfold on the page. By the end, you'll have transformed it into a polished, engaging scene that shines!

As the course progresses, you’ll be revising your Starter Scene using all your newly acquired skills. By the end, you’ll have revised it into a well-structured, engaging scene that shines!

Plus, you’ll have a before-and-after snapshot to clearly see your evolution from writer to Scene Crafting Master!

Don't let another writing session end in frustration. Unlock the power of scene writing and watch your stories come to life!

Enroll now and start your journey to becoming a Scene Crafting Master today!

What Students are Saying:

“So much great info and fabulous tips for making my scenes the best they can be. I'm thrilled to have these new tools in my writing tool box to make the novel I'm working on even better!” – Julie R.

"I love the fact I have come away with a checklist that neatens up my planning templates and helps focus my mind. This will save me time and energy moving forward." -Zoe J.

"This course is wonderful! After completing the course, I feel so confident in my writing abilities now." -Manda S.

"[This course] caused me to rewrite my opening several times until I now believe I "Got It Right". I read it and go "Wow, I actually wrote this." -Fred H.

"This is one of the best courses I have ever taken. Clear explanation and instruction. Of course it is not easy to write a really good scene but it feels a lot easier after this course." -Inga

"This is truly an excellent course. There is so much to be learned and the writing prompts and exercises are key to mastering the skills Jordan works so hard to impart. There were many revelations in this course for me." - Peter A.

Why Learn from Us?

Jordan Rosenfeld is the author of the forthcoming novel Fallout (Running Wild Press), Women in Red, Forged in Grace, and six books on the craft of writing, most recently How to Write a Page-Turner, the bestselling Make a Scene, Writing the Intimate Character, A Writer’s Guide to Persistence, Writing Deep Scenes and Write Free. Her freelance articles and essays have been published in hundreds of publications, including The Atlantic, The New York Times, Scientific American, Writer’s Digest Magazine, The Washington Post, and many more. She is also a freelance manuscript editor and ghostwriter, and she's packed this course with all her knowledge of scene writing to help make your stories a success.

Jessica Brody is a bestselling author, top-rated Udemy instructor with over 60,000 students, and founder of Writing Mastery. She is the author of more than 20 novels plus Save the Cat! Writes a Novel, the #1 bestselling plotting guide for novelists.

Writing Mastery only partners with the most qualified writing instructors to bring you high-quality courses you can trust.

In fact, we guarantee it with a 30-day 100% money-back guarantee!

We are confident you’ll love this course. But if, for any reason, you don’t, we’ll give you a full refund.

Don't miss this opportunity to revolutionize your fiction writing!

Enroll now and start crafting scenes that will captivate your readers and bring your stories to life!

PRAISE FOR COURSES IN THE WRITING MASTERY SERIES:

10+ writing courses
Over 70,000 students enrolled
Average rating 4.7 stars!

"Just, WOW! FULL of tips, tricks, resources, references, and actionable steps" - Tracy

"Superb. Clear and engaging - Dan

"Thorough, accurate, and well-presented --I would recommend Jessica Brody’s courses to any writer eager to rise." - Mark

"Very informative and well worth the time and cost." - Noel

"Clear, concise, & well-narrated with an abundance of enthusiasm." - Christopher

"This course is worth far more than the price of admission!" - Talmage

"If you write (or plan to write), get this course" - Scott

"I have learned so much information that has helped me in the writing process." - Christy

"Good pacing, great tools, wonderful ideas... loving this course!" - Regina

"Love the videos. Very easy to understand and lots of great tips!" - Lisa

Who this course is for:

Novelists looking to elevate their craft
Short story writers aiming to pack more punch into their narratives
Memoirists seeking to bring their experiences to life on the page
Any writer ready to transform their storytelling skills

Scene by Scene: The Secret to Writing Unforgettable Fiction

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Introduction4 lectures • 14min

Basic Scene Design10 lectures • 1hr

Enhancing Your Scenes with Emotion8 lectures • 52min

Enhancing Your Scenes with Pacing5 lectures • 25min

Enhancing Your Scenes with Subtext7 lectures • 24min

Putting it All Together2 lectures • 19min

Connecting Scenes Together2 lectures • 9min

Wrapping Up2 lectures • 4min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: