Short Story Workshop
Wednesdays, September 22 to November 10
The short form is unique in its demands: how do we tell a compelling story with not a word wasted? The best stories are served by strong characters and tight plotting. But how do sentences and rhythms play a role? Voice and point of view?
The short story gives us an ideal venue for experimentation and delving deep into craft. Use this form to play with ideas and push your comfort zone, which can lead to new levels in all of your writing endeavors. Besides that, short stories are just plain fun to read and write.
This workshop focuses on discussing student work—an excellent method for writers who want to refine their ability to craft short stories. By examining our own stories, and those of other writers, we will look at ways language, plot and character intersect to present complex emotions and intense moments. A perfect opportunity for writers with some completed short story drafts waiting for feedback.
We’ll read published work together and each week different student manuscripts will be discussed. Not only will you receive feedback on your work, you’ll also gain important analytical skills while critiquing the manuscripts of your peers. Students should plan on having at least one short story draft to be workshopped.
Writer’s Roadmap: This class is best for students who have completed Fiction I or Creative Writing I and the Craft of the Short Story (Coming in Spring). If you’re unsure, send us a portion of a short story draft and we’ll help you find the class that’s the best fit.
After completing this class, writers may choose to re-take the Short Story Workshop or move into the Advanced Fiction Workshop. You may even be interested in generating material in the Story Workout class.
About the Instructor: Lee Strickland’s fiction has appeared in Gettysburg Review, Sou’wester, Other Voices, StoryQuarterly, and River Oak Review. Her short stories have won an Illinois Arts Council grant and a “100 Distinguished Stories of the Year” notation in Best American Short Stories. Her non-fiction has appeared in academic journals and anthologies. She has an MFA from Warren Wilson College, and is currently at work on a novel.
Date/Time: Wednesdays, September 22 to November 10; 6:30 to 9:00pm.
Price: Non-Member:$380; Member: $360. Includes course packet and instructor reviews.