Every story moves through time differently. Some moments demand full dramatization—a conversation, a glance, a slammed door—while others are better compressed into a sentence or paragraph. In this generative workshop, we’ll explore the dynamic relationship between scene and summary and how writers use both to control pacing, tension, and emotional resonance. Using examples from contemporary fiction and nonfiction, we’ll discuss what it really means to “show, don’t tell,” and when telling can actually strengthen a piece. Participants will leave with practical revision tools and new strategies for crafting vivid, purposeful prose.
Cara Lynn Albert is a writer from Florida. Her debut book, Worshipping the Sun, is forthcoming in 2027 from Santa Fe Writers Project. She holds an MFA degree in creative writing from the University of Colorado Boulder, and her work has been published in TriQuarterly, The Florida Review, New Ohio Review, Bat City Review, and elsewhere. Cara currently lives in Nashville, Tennessee.
"Cara's class was interesting and informative on books and viewpoints which I was not previously aware of -- which will help me with my novel!"
"A very fun and well-curated class. Cara clearly put a lot of thought into it! It was a very enjoyable experience and the conversation throughout was fun and inspiring."
"I'm really thankful to Cara for using mentor texts highlighting diverse voices. It was a relief and refreshing to hear from different authors as opposed to having mentor examples that were all one-noted."
