Self-Paced Craft Intensive · Fiction & Nonfiction
Show, Don’t Tell:
Write scenes that pull your reader into the room
Most writers are told to “show, don’t tell.” Almost none are taught how. This focused, high-impact masterclass gives you practical mechanics to turn flat description into vivid, cinematic scenes your readers can feel in their bodies — not just skim on the page.
- Turn “tell-y” passages into scenes readers see and feel
- Choose details that matter and cut what doesn’t
- Use verbs and pacing to build tension and momentum
- Write scenes that stay with your reader long after they finish
🎓 Created and taught by Seth Harwood — Iowa Writers’ Workshop MFA, published novelist, and former instructor at Stanford and Harvard.
14-Day Money-Back Guarantee · Lifetime Access · Work at Your Own Pace
Does this sound familiar?
- Your critique partners say your writing is “too tell-y” or “flat.”
- You can see the scene perfectly in your head, but it doesn’t land on the page.
- Readers skim your descriptive passages or say they “can’t quite picture it.”
- You’ve read a stack of craft books, but no one explains what showing actually
- You’re tired of rewriting the same scene, hoping this time it will finally come alive.
You’re not a bad writer. You’re just missing the underlying mechanics of showing — and those mechanics can be learned, practiced, and used on every page you write.
“I purchased this course. I’d repurchase at three times the price. The instruction is solid, easy to follow and well supported. No other course has improved my scenes or made writing so much fun.” – A Show, Don’t Tell student
Most writing advice talks about good scenes. This course shows you the working parts — the exact choices in verbs, detail, pacing, and dialogue that create vivid, unforgettable moments on the page.
Inside this self-paced class, you’ll get short, focused lessons, concrete examples, and guided assignments that take you from theory to practice immediately.
You’ll get:
- 1.5 hours of focused video instruction
- 4 guided writing assignments
- Show, Don’t Tell Edit Checklist (PDF)
- Example revisions + breakdowns
- Lifetime access + future updates
- 14-Day Money-Back Guarantee
Built for real writers:
This class comes from years of teaching at top programs and working directly with writers on novels, memoirs, and short stories. It’s designed for serious writers who want practical, repeatable tools — not vague rules or abstract theory.
Total value: $350+ — including instruction, assignments, tools, and lifetime access. Today: $147
Enroll Now – $127This course is hosted on Udemy for reliability and lifetime access.
When you enroll here, you get full Udemy access — at a lower direct price.
What you’ll learn — step by step
Module 1 · Grounding the Scene
Use sensory detail and “given” information to anchor your reader in a specific body, place, and moment from the very first lines.
- Choose details that matter emotionally and dramatically
- Avoid over-describing while still making your world vivid
- Ground action without slowing the story to a crawl
Module 2 · Action vs. Stillness
Learn how pacing really works on the page, and how to decide when to slow down, when to speed up, and how to keep readers turning pages.
- Use micro-tension to hold attention line by line
- Balance summary, scene, and reflection
- Turn quiet moments into charged, meaningful beats
Module 3 · Verbs That Carry the Story
Your verbs do more work than any other part of speech. Here you’ll learn how to select verbs that move your scene instead of flattening it.
- Spot static, “telling” verb choices in your own work
- Use three key types of verbs to create momentum
- Rewrite a scene by changing only the verbs — and feel the difference
Module 4 · Dialogue + Movement
Learn how to weave dialogue with physical action so your characters are seen and heard at the same time.
- Fix “talking head” scenes with simple interspersed action
- Use gesture and movement to reveal subtext
- Keep conversations on the page dynamic and alive
Each module includes a writing assignment so you can immediately apply what you’ve learned to your own work-in-progress.
Is this course for you?
This class is designed for serious writers who want to deepen their craft and make every scene more
vivid, precise, and alive — without losing their unique voice.
Perfect for:
- Fiction writers working on novels or short stories
- Memoir and narrative nonfiction writers
- Emerging writers ready to move beyond beginner craft books
- Experienced writers who keep hearing “show, don’t tell” in feedback
Not a fit if you:
- Want generic tips instead of focused technique
- Aren’t interested in revising your own pages
- Prefer theory with no practice or application
What writers say about working with Seth
“Seth is a master of mechanics and the art of the scene in fiction writing. His feedback is sharp, specific, and immediately usable on the page.”
— Former student
“He knows how to get the best from every one of his students. I came away with tools I use in every scene I write now.”
— Workshop participant
Want personal feedback on your scenes?
The core course is completely self-paced and includes all the lessons and assignments you need to transform your scenes. If you’d like more support, you’ll see an option to upgrade to personal feedback from Seth after you enroll.
- Feedback on a single scene
- Feedback on all course assignments
- Premium options with video notes or live conversation
These upgrades are optional and have limited spots each month to protect the quality of the feedback.
Meet your instructor
Seth Harwood
- MFA in Fiction from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop
- Author of multiple novels, including the Jack Palms series
- Has taught creative writing at Stanford, Harvard, UMass Boston, and more
- Coach and mentor to writers working on novels, memoirs, and story collections
Seth brings years of teaching and coaching experience into this course, distilling what actually moves the needle for writers who want their scenes to land with clarity, energy, and emotional impact.
Your risk is zero
Take the course for 14 days. Watch the lessons. Try the assignments. If you don’t feel more confident and in control of your scenes, email us and you’ll receive a full refund.
No hoops. No quizzes. No hard feelings. If it’s not a fit, you get your money back.
Enroll in Show, Don’t Tell – $127Instant access · Self-paced · Lifetime access to all lessons and updates
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the course work?
Once you enroll, you get instant access to all four modules, video lessons, and assignments. You can start right away, move at your own pace, and revisit any lesson whenever you need it.
How long do I have access to the material?
Your enrollment includes lifetime access. That means you can come back to the videos, examples, and checklists any time you’re drafting or revising new work — and get access to future updates.
Is this course right for beginners?
Yes. If you’re newer to writing, this course will give you a strong foundation in scene craft that many writers don’t get for years. If you’re more experienced, you’ll get concrete tools to refine and deepen the work you’re already doing.
Will I get personal feedback from Seth?
The core course does not include individual feedback so that you can move through the lessons at your own pace. After you enroll, you’ll see options to upgrade to personal feedback on one or more assignments if you’d like detailed notes on your pages.
What if I’m busy right now?
Because the course is self-paced with lifetime access, you don’t have to start immediately. You can enroll now at the current rate and begin when your schedule allows, working in short focused sessions.
How is this different from other “show, don’t tell” advice?
Instead of giving you general rules, this course walks you through specific examples and line-level changes in verbs, detail, pacing, and dialogue. You’ll see exactly what changes on the page and why it works — and then apply those tools to your own scenes.
What if I decide it’s not for me?
You have 14 days to try the course. If you don’t feel more confident and equipped to write vivid, engaging scenes, email us within that window for a full refund.
