“Show and Tell: The Power of Exposition and Interiority” with Stacey Swann
November 19, 2025 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM CST
$59.00 – $119.00
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This Event is for Members only.
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$59 for Members
$119 for Non-Members
Registration for the live class is now closed. The class recording is available for purchase by our members until December 31, 2025. Become a WLT member here.
This class is a part of the Novel Writing class package.
When it comes to writing fiction, the phrase “show don’t tell” is so common, most writers have internalized it; however, there can be great power in vivid exposition and in delving into a character’s interiority. In this class, we will explore the ways those techniques can heighten the impact of our scenes and allow deeper access to voice.
When it comes to writing fiction, the phrase “show don’t tell” is so common, most writers have internalized it. We live in a culture dominated by film and TV, and those mediums are defined by showing. (Who loves a voice over? No one!) But as in so many things, this type of black and white thinking has drawbacks. There can be great power in vivid exposition, in delving into a character’s interiority; these are the things that can set fiction apart from other narrative art forms. Those craft elements can bring us inside the characters, showing their complex, subjective selves rather than keeping us outside, as passive viewers. In this class, we will explore the ways that exposition and interiority can heighten the impact of our scenes and allow deeper access to voice. Students will come away with new techniques to explore and integrate into their own work.
TAKE THIS CLASS IF:
- You’d like to bring more interiority to your characters without sacrificing pacing.
- You want to deepen your narrative voice.
- You worry exposition is always boring.
The deadline to register for this class is Wednesday, November 19 at 5:00 PM CST.
Can’t make it to the live class? No problem! All classes are recorded and made available to students until January 31, 2026.
CONTINUING YOUR WRITING JOURNEY
SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION
The WLT is committed to making our online classes accessible to all writers including writers who do not have the financial means to pay for programming. Five (5) seats in this class have been set aside for scholarship recipients to attend free of charge. Please fill out this application no later than 2 days prior to the class to be considered for one of the scholarship seats. We do not ask for any corroborating documents; we only ask that you help us understand your situation. If you are selected for one of the available seats you will be notified via email (from wlt@writersleague.org) no later than 24 hours before the start of the class. Please note, each writer is limited to no more than four (4) total scholarship seats per catalog season.
Instructor
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Stacey Swann’s debut novel Olympus, Texas (Doubleday) was a Good Morning America Book Club selection, an Indie Next Pick, and was longlisted for The Center for Fiction First Novel Prize. Swann holds an M.F.A. from Texas State University and was a Stegner Fellow at Stanford University. Her writing has appeared in LitHub, Electric Literature, Texas Highways, Epoch, and other journals. She splits her time between Austin and Lampasas, Texas.
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The Writers’ League of Texas is dedicated to providing harassment-free spaces for everyone, regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, race, age, or religion. We do not tolerate harassment in any form. Violating these rules may result in expulsion from WLT programs without a refund at the discretion of the WLT staff.
Harassment includes, but is not limited to:
- Comments that reinforce social structures of domination (related to gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, race, age, or religion);
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- Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behavior.
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Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately. If a participant engages in harassing behavior, event organizers retain the right to take any actions to keep the event a welcoming environment for all participants. This includes warning the offender or expulsion from the event with no refund. Event organizers may take action to redress anything designed to, or with the clear impact of, disrupting the event or making the environment hostile for any participants. We expect participants to follow these rules during all events and event-related social activities.
Reporting
If someone makes you or anyone else feel unsafe or unwelcome, please report it as soon as possible. Reports can also be made via email at wlt@writersleague.org. We’ll handle any and all reports as respectfully as possible. You won’t be asked to confront anyone, and we won’t tell anyone who you are.
Accessibility Policy
Closed captioning is available for all online classes and special events.
The WLT is committed to making its programs & services accessible to all writers. Please contact us at wlt@writersleague.org or at 512-499-8914 for more information or to discuss accommodations you may need.
Credit Card Transaction Handling Fee Policy
All credit card transactions will incur a 4% handling fee. If you’d prefer to pay by check for membership, a class, or an event, you can use the provided forms on the membership or event pages and mail to: WLT, P.O. Box 14355, Austin, TX, 78704.
Writers’ League of Texas classes and workshops are also funded in part by the Texas Commission on the Arts – Investing in a Creative Texas. For more information, go to www.arts.texas.gov.