PROPULSIVE: CRAFTING THE OPENING SCENE

PROPULSIVE:

CRAFTING THE OPENING SCENE

A THREE-HOUR WORKSHOP IN CREATIVE WRITING (FICTION) 

AT HOME FOR COOPERATION

Instructor: Harrison Blackman

PROPULSIVE: CRAFTING THE OPENING SCENE

The opening scene is critical. Whether it’s the beginning of a novel, a short story, or a film, the opening needs to grab the audience’s attention and convince them to continue. Not only must the opening scene serve as a “hook,” the beginning has structural narrative responsibilities as well. Like a thesis statement, the opening section has to telegraph several items: the character’s arc or journey, the themes of the work, and hint at the story to come. And yet, it is often necessary to fulfill these elements of story without giving any major plot points away. In this three-hour workshop, participants will learn how to craft an opening scene in fiction that will set up the character arc, the themes of the work, and grab the audience. We’ll look at several examples from fiction and film to help us understand the demands of writing a hook. By the end of the class, each participant will get the chance to tackle writing their own opening scene. This workshop combines narrative instruction with discussion among participants, through which we hope to facilitate connection and dialogue.

Sign up for the workshop here (limited availability): https://forms.gle/FBa7BQVcEs3srH3Z7

Required materials:

• Notebook/Paper + pens

Important information:

• This workshop is free.
• This is a one-time workshop.
• This workshop will be held in-person only.
• The language of instruction will be in English.
• If Covid-19 restrictions change again, the instructor may have to require the presentation of rapid tests and/or vaccination certificates.
• By participating, participants agree to be photographed for social media purposes.

INSTRUCTOR

Harrison Blackman 

Harrison Blackman is a writer, editor, and journalist originally from Southern California. He earned an MFA from the University of Nevada, Reno and graduated from Princeton University. His creative work often engages in genres such as that of literary mystery and thriller, while his research engages with urban history and the modern history of the Mediterranean. A Fulbright fellow, Harrison’s work has also been supported by grants from the Lewis Center for the Arts and the Truman Library Institute. His writing has appeared in such publications as The Los Angeles Review of Books, The Brooklyn Rail, Literary Hub, The Santa Fe New Mexican, and Ploughshares; he also consults on film and TV projects, including the film A Mouthful of Air (2021), starring Amanda Seyfried. Learn more at www.harrisonblackman.com.