Sands Hall
THE SEVEN ESSENTIALS: Creating Effective Scenes in Memoir
May 23, 2025
11 AM PDT | 12 PM MDT | 1 PM CDT | 2 PM EDT
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In this energetic and inspiring presentation, Sands Hall lays out the seven essentials found in all effective scenes. As she demonstrates how published authors put these ideas to use, she’ll share how you can incorporate them into your own writing. This includes a good look at specifics and the amount of work they can do for you as you unfold your story—she’ll also share two “bonus” essentials you’ll find useful. In the process, Sands addresses the vital difference between “showing,” and “telling,” and why it’s important to know the value of both. In addition to taking away some valuable tools that can be put to immediate use, you’ll discover the deep pleasure of wielding this purposefulness in your writing.
Amongst the topics Sands will cover:
- Understanding the importance of selection as you reveal your character (which is, often—you!)
- Delving into the incredible value to be found in detail.
- How setting your scene delivers character and conflict.
- How incorporating activity helps build tension.
All of these will:
- Invite you to pay close attention to details that convey meaning and emotion.
- Deepen your understanding of the power your story.
- Help you bring readers into your story so they experience it too.
Bio
SANDS HALL is the author of the award-winning memoir Reclaiming My Decade Lost in Scientology (Counterpoint); Blackstone Audio produced the audio book, read by the author. She is also a playwright and a novelist; her fiction and award-winning essays have appeared in such journals as Alta, New England Review, Iowa Review, and Los Angeles Review of Books. Professor Emerita at Franklin & Marshall College, she teaches for Community of Writers and the Iowa Summer Writing Festival, among others. Graduate of the Iowa Writers Workshop, she holds a second MFA in Theatre Arts, and brings her extensive theatre experience as playwright, actor, and director to her teaching. www.sandshall.com
