Enroll Course: https://www.udemy.com/course/harwood1/
As writers, we’ve all been told to ‘show, don’t tell.’ It’s a piece of advice that’s both ubiquitous and, for many, incredibly elusive. What does it truly mean to ‘show’ on the page? Why is it so crucial for connecting with readers? And how do we strike the perfect balance without overwhelming our audience?
Seth Harwood’s Udemy course, ‘Show Don’t Tell,’ tackles these questions head-on, demystifying this fundamental writing principle with practical exercises and insightful examples. Harwood, an accomplished author with an MFA from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop and a string of bestsellers to his name, brings a wealth of experience to the virtual classroom.
From the outset, the course emphasizes the importance of grounding readers by creating vivid visual scenes. Harwood guides you through establishing setting, crafting evocative descriptions, and understanding how characters occupy space. He debunks the myth that description is inherently boring, instead showcasing how it can be a dynamic tool that propels the plot forward and illuminates your narrative.
The course is structured into four key weeks:
* **Week One: Setting / Creating the Stage** focuses on how to immediately immerse your reader in the story’s world by providing essential ‘given’ information while simultaneously building tension and action.
* **Week Two: Slowing it down** explores the power of savoring moments on the page, encouraging a focus on positive creation rather than being paralyzed by the fear of boring the reader.
* **Week Three: Verbs** equips you with the ability to distinguish between static and dynamic writing by identifying three crucial verb types, offering a tangible way to assess the vitality of your prose.
* **Week Four: Dialogue with Bodies!** delves into the art of blending dialogue with action, ensuring your characters are not just heard but also seen, providing another critical tool for evaluating your ‘showing’ technique.
Harwood’s approach is empowering. He acknowledges the common writer’s fear of boring readers but argues that this fear often stifles good writing more than it helps. By the end of this course, students will develop a robust process for tackling new work and crafting scenes that captivate, move, and thrill their audience. If you’re looking to elevate your storytelling and forge a deeper connection with your readers, Seth Harwood’s ‘Show Don’t Tell’ is an indispensable resource.
Enroll Course: https://www.udemy.com/course/harwood1/