Keeping readers engaged is as much about psychology as craft. Susan Finch, associate professor and dean at Belmont University, explores how the brain responds to story and why certain openings pull us forward. This session focuses on first chapter fundamentals and the techniques that sustain narrative momentum long after the first page.
The Power of Setting in Storytelling
How much power does setting really have in a story? This panel explores the role of location as more than backdrop, examining how place shapes character, mood, conflict, and theme. Discover how to make your setting feel alive and essential so it becomes as memorable...
