Great stories don’t just tell us what happened, they make us feel like we’re right there inside the story. In this two-hour workshop, we’ll explore how vivid, immersive scenes bring personal narratives to life. Together, we’ll unpack the adage “Show, Don’t Tell,” discovering what it really means and how to make it work on the page. Through discussion and close reading, you’ll identify techniques master writers use and practice weaving them into your own work.

Bring an idea for a life moment you’d like to capture. With time to draft, share, and celebrate what’s working, you’ll leave with tools to craft scenes that stick with readers long after the page.

Participants are encouraged, but not required to take this workshop as a part of a series with “Sentence-Level Revision” on September 14th and “Do Tell” on October 26th. 

When: Sunday, October 5th at 7-9pm ET

What participants can expect: 2-hour Zoom call with link for replay

Goal: Creating vivid, immersive scenes in personal narrative

Workshop Outline:

• Demystifying the adage “Show, Don’t Tell”

• Discussion & Close Reading to identify techniques writers use to bring moments to life

• Shape a moment from your own life into a vivid scene

This course will run with a minimum of 6 participants.

What women are saying about Adrienne’s workshops: 

“Adrienne’s workshops are life. If you haven't taken one, do it! You will not be disappointed—you will leave encouraged and inspired. Every time I see one of her workshops pass up on Marketplace I'm practically leaning over my desk frantically waving my hand, Hermoine Granger style, thinking ME! ME! I want to be in that class please!”

“Adrienne is an engaging, excellent teacher. Her courses are such a rich experience!”

“Adrienne does a wonderful job. The quality of her workshops and content is excellent!”

Adrienne Garrison is a writer and educator living in Bloomington, Indiana with her husband and their three little ones. She received her MFA in fiction from Pacific University and her short stories have been published in Literary Mama and LETTERS Journal. Her essays have appeared in Coffee + Crumbs, where she is a contributing writer, and New Millennium Writings. You can find more of her writing at adriennegarrison.com

You can read all of Adrienne’s C+C essays here.