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Smart Scenes: A Fresh Approach To Structure in Creative Writing
Smart Scenes: A Fresh Approach To Structure in Creative Writing
A fresh approach to structure in
creative writing.
The Art of Creative Writing
Meaningful writing is not a formula.
It cannot be created using a graphic organizer.
It cannot be nurtured through “COPS”
editing.
It can only be encouraged by a teacher who
believes that writing is more than
description and plot.
Encouraging Voice
An author’s voice is a hotline the soul”
Barry Lane
Voice is not taught, it’s nurtured, supported,
given opportunity to grow.
Short Story Day
• Do not hand out story organizers with
places for character, setting, plot events and
ending.
• You are the leader of Short Story Writing
101: Start with guided imagery of character.
It’s a powerful, immediate, and focused
way to discover a character and a story.
Writing Begins
• Start a story in action. This is the moment
when the character experiences the problem
and takes action.
• Storyboard the beginning scene of the story.
Where is this scene happening? Specific! What is the main character doing as the scene What happens that SHOWS the
A Storyboard.
begins? problem the M.C. is having? (ACTION)
• Insert visual of storyboard
During this action, what is the M.C. thinking? What does the M.C. DO NOW? What is the result of this action? If itÕs
or feeling? the beginning or middle, things have
to get WORSE. If itÕs the climax,
things move toward resolution.
What does the M.C. say?
During this action, how does the m.c. feel?
Scene Development
• Show students how scenes are written using
the following elements:
– Thoughtshots: character thoughts and emotion
– Dialogue: “Character speaks,” I said.
– Snapshots: description of place, person or
action (narrative).
Writing a story in scenes
High Point/ Climax
How does m.c. solve or not, get
what she wants or not?
Where? What happens?
Transitions
Middle Scene 2
How does it get worse,
again?
Where? End: resolution
What happens? How does m.c. end
up?
Middle Scene 1
How does it get worse?
Where?
What happens?
Beginning Scene
How does it show the problem?
Where?
What happens?
Wrap it up
• Resource list (selected titles)
– Fast Fiction, by Roberta Allen
– Craft Lessons, by Ralph Fletcher
– Lessons that Change Writers, by Nancie Atwell
– After the End, by Barry Lane
– Writing Lessons for the Overhead, by Lois M.
Schaeffer.