How to Improve Your Memoir or Personal Essays by Balancing Scene and Exposition with David McLoghlin (Zoom)

This 8-week course will meet on Wednesdays from 1:00-3:00 p.m. ET on the following dates: April 15, 22, 29, May 6, 13, 20, 27, and June 3. All classes will be held on Zoom.

We have an instinctive sense from fiction, film, and memoir that scenes are where time slows down, giving us immersive sensory detail, conflict and dialogue, but what about exposition (also known as reflection, “glide,” or summary)? In fact, exposition is just as important as scenes, as it’s where the writer explains, and comments on the scenes. Here is where the writer provides essential, non-immersive information that moves the story forward and links scenes together. Scenes are where we “show,” whereas in exposition, we “tell.” Scenes immerse us. Exposition orients us. Both are essential. Learning how to identify your principle story points (or scenes) will help you to structure your story. As you develop your scenes and improve…