Scenes are like mini-movies our words create in readers’ minds and are devices writers use to show, not tell. In today’s challenge, try your hand at writing micro-memoir in scene after learning more about what constitutes this useful writing tool.

Brevity: A Journal of Concise Literary Nonfiction has been publishing short, nonfiction works for more than twenty years, and today, we use one of its stories to learn more about scene. “Three Oranges” by Tami Mohamed Brown details a chance encounter at a bus stop one winter day after work and walks the reader through the few minutes that follow. Her piece is a great example of how to bring a moment to life on the page.

As always, use the blank cluster diagram below and spend ten minutes brainstorming possible story ideas. Make sure you narrowly define your topic and draft a s-story. Repeat the clustering process until you have a story that can adequately be told in scene.

The maximum word count for this challenge is 750 words, not even 751 words. Please post your word count along with your story.

Draft your story, post it and your word count in the comments section below, read the work of a few of your fellow challengers, and include a word or two of encouragement. Let them know where their scenes took you.

The opportunity to secure your spot in the Rock Star Writers hall of fame is only one day away. Do the work of a Rock Star Writer today and tomorrow, and you’re in, just like that. Then, you might possibly have your story reviewed by this elite group and Patricia. What a great opportunity! Stay the course, my friend.