This class returns in the fall.

Are you ready to put your stories down on paper? Are you tired of worrying that the character voices in your head won’t be good enough?

This eight-session course is perfect for newer writers—or those returning to the craft—who want to learn the basics of storycraft and begin to understand how to write a piece of fiction.

We’ll talk about it all: character development, scene building, plot and tension, dialogue, and language. It’s a great place to start whether you’ve been scribbling for awhile or haven’t written a word!

We’ll read published stories and use writing prompts to sharpen our skills and get the words flowing. In the workshop component of the class, you’ll share your work and receive useful feedback to help you move forward and see the opportunities present in your words. (Students do not need any prepared stories before the course begins.)

What you need to know:

• The only requirements are a pen, paper, and an open imagination!
• We use writing prompts in class and offer take-home assignments.
• Each week you will read one short story and/or short student manuscripts.
• By the end of class you will leave with a story start and an understanding of what makes a good story.

StoryStudio classes are typically limited to 15 participants or fewer. This intimate setting allows for greater interaction and personal attention.

How is this class different from Creative Writing I? If you think you may be interested in experimenting with forms of fiction and creative non-fiction, then Creative Writing I is a good choice. However, if you know your focus is writing fiction, then we recommend taking this Fiction I class.

Who should attend?

• Adults 18 and over
• Beginning writers

About the Instructor

M. Molly Backes is the author of the YA novel The Princesses of Iowa (Candlewick Press, 2012), described as “Mean Girls meets The Dead Poets Society”. A graduate of Grinnell College, Molly taught writing in New Mexico where she got 150 middle schoolers to write novels with her for National Novel Writing Month. These days, in addition to teaching and tutoring writing, she works as the Assistant Director at StoryStudio Chicago where she’ll be happy to answer all your questions about life, the universe, and all our classes.

Related Courses

• Creative Writing I
• Short Stories: The Next Draft

Fiction writing, Chicago writing classes,writing novels, writing short stories, intro to writing