“‘I’m bad at writing plot.’ It’s one of the most common things I hear my writing students say, and it’s rarely true,” says instructor Shelby Hinte. “Plot can feel daunting, especially if we’re using Hollywood blockbusters full of wild action scenes as a metric for good plots. But compelling stories don’t need car chases and shootouts to feel propulsive. Creating urgent stories is all about locating the driving force that compels our characters to act.”
In this 3-week intensive, we'll move beyond surface thrills to uncover what truly drives engaging narratives in both fiction and nonfiction. Through craft lessons, writing prompts, and group discussions, we'll discover how to create plots that resonate with readers and keep them invested in a story. We’ll explore essentials like how to build suspense and pace scenes effectively, and we’ll experiment with different structures such as braided and circular narratives.
By the end of the course, you'll have tested multiple storytelling frameworks and discovered how to locate that “driving force” and structure a story around it. Whether you come to this class with a work-in-progress or just a head full of ideas, you will leave with loads of raw material and tools to help you craft memorable plots.
About The Writing Salon's In-Person Classes
Before your class meets, you'll receive an email from The Writing Salon with more information about the class. If you have any questions about in-person learning, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at hello@writingsalons.com.
Shelby Hinte has led and supported writing workshops at San Francisco State University and in the community, including teaching creative writing to incarcerated adults and youth on juvenile probation. She is the Associate Editor of Write or Die Magazine where she edits essays and interviews. She has served as a reader and intern at various independent presses including ZYZZYVA, Split/Lip Press, and No Contact. Her work has been featured in BOMB, ZYZZYVA, SmokeLong Quarterly, Hobart, The Rumpus, and elsewhere. Her first novel, HOWLING WOMEN, is forthcoming from LEFTOVER Books (2025).
- Wednesday, December 03, 6:30pm-9:00pm
- Wednesday, December 10, 6:30pm-9:00pm
- Wednesday, December 17, 6:30pm-9:00pm
Shelby is very warm and inviting in her style, which facilitated a welcoming atmosphere in the class. She also does a really good job of listening to our responses and pulling out interesting gems to reiterate. I always felt heard and understood.
Shelby is a fantastic teacher. She’s so knowledgeable, well-read, enthusiastic, and inspiring.
I found Shelby's ability to listen while she teaches inspiring and engaging. It was easy to follow the threads and digest the material because it was so interactive and, at times, conversational.