Tuesday, January 12, 2027

Live Seminar via Zoom from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM ET

Now Enrolling! Any questions about this class? Use the Chat Button to talk with us.

Instructor Jacquelin Cangro worked at Penguin Random House and Simon & Schuster for more than twenty years. Now, as an independent developmental editor and book coach, she reviews novel manuscripts in many genres, including historical, YA, women's fiction, romance, and upmarket, providing writers with feedback to revise their stories. She teaches creative writing at GrubStreet and The Loft, and she's presented workshops at writing conferences around the world. She's in the process of revising her road trip novel around France.

Who is this class for?

Designed for beginner and intermediate fiction writers, this introductory online writing class explores the essential elements of compelling scenes, from character goals and conflict to dialogue, setting, and emotional development, giving you the tools to keep your story moving forward. You'll leave with an understanding of the difference between scene and summary, how to create tension within a scene, and tools for developing a scene strategy.

What to expect:

Strong scenes do more than connect plot points—they deepen character, build tension, and keep readers turning the pages. But how do you know if a scene is doing its job?

In this two-hour fiction writing seminar, we'll examine how character goals, conflict, and action work together to create scenes that move the story forward. We'll identify the craft techniques that make scenes memorable and discuss how those techniques can strengthen your work in progress.

Jacquelin's approach combines the perspective of a developmental editor with the practice of a working writer. Rather than treating scene as an abstract craft concept, she'll share the practical questions and framework she uses when evaluating manuscripts—tools that help reveal whether a scene has a clear purpose, creates meaningful change, and earns its place in your novel. Writing exercises and prompts will give you the opportunity to immediately apply what you've learned, and there will be plenty of time for Q&A throughout this live Zoom writing class.

What are the writing goals?

In this course, students will deepen narrative momentum and emotional stakes through the building blocks of scene. The seminar includes a mix of discussion, short readings, and in-class writing exercises designed to generate new work or expand existing projects. You'll come away with practical tools to immediately apply to your novel in progress. While there is no additional written feedback for this seminar, there will be plenty of time for Q&A.

Readings

There are no required course texts. Brief excerpts will be shared in class for discussion.

COURSE OUTLINE

Hour One: Anatomy of a Scene; Narrative Arc and Character Arc

Hour Two: Writing Prompt; Exploring Scene Types

COURSE TAKEAWAYS:

• Understand the difference between scene and summary—and when to use each
• Learn how character goals, conflict, and action combine to create tension within a scene
• Apply a developmental editor's framework for evaluating whether a scene has a clear purpose and creates meaningful change
• Generate new work through in-class writing exercises and prompts
• Develop a scene strategy to build momentum across your novel

TESTIMONIALS:

The class was incredible, and most of that is due to the warm, positive, and encouraging energy Jackie brought each week. A lot of it is also due to the engaging and thoughtful classmates who made up our group. I loved how much time Jackie gave us to ask questions about any and every topic she covered, and she never made us feel like any question was too simple or off topic. She took every comment or question and turned it into another learning opportunity. She picked excellent reading excerpts for us to review in class, and the overall structure worked really well — each lesson built on the previous one seamlessly. This class has been the highlight of my week for the past six weeks. It was a warm, creative space to escape the monotony of daily life, and it made me feel like I'm capable of creating something special one day too. — Shannon H., Former Student

Jackie was responsive, supportive, and wonderful to learn from. The class was structured so well and each time I felt I learned something new and was motivated to do more and grow as a writer. My only suggestion would be to make the class longer! I didn't want it to end. — Amber L., Former Student

PAYMENT OPTIONS:

Tuition is $99 USD. You can pay for the course in full or use Shop Pay or Affirm to pay over time with equal Monthly Payments. Both options are available at checkout.

ONLINE COURSE STRUCTURE:

• Instructor: Jacquelin Cangro
• One-Day Seminar on Tuesday, January 12, 2027
• Class will meet once via Zoom from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM ET
• Tuition is $99 USD.