The writer John Gardner famously said there are only two stories: someone goes on a journey or a stranger comes to town. In this one-night prose workshop we will examine the importance of story and plot in various genres of writing. Paying close attention to the elements of conflict, crisis, and resolution, we will learn about establishing plot in our own writing.

In-class prompts will focus on developing tension in our work through the use of plot elements such as initial conflict, rising action, crisis point, and falling action. We will also focus on the element of causality, one event leading to another. Our goal will be to infuse our writing with plots that keep our readers captivated.

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Who Should Attend:

Adults, 18 and over
Writers at all levels

About the Instructor: Eugene Cross’s stories have appeared in American Short Fiction, Narrative Magazine, Story Quarterly, Guernica, Callaloo, and The Pinch among others. His work has also been nominated for the Pushcart Prize as well as being shortlisted in The Best American Short Stories 2010. He earned his MFA in fiction from the University of Pittsburgh and was the winner of the 2009 DZANC Prize for Excellence in Literary Fiction and Community Service. Prior to moving to Chicago he taught creative writing for five years at Penn State University. He has received scholarships from the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference and the Chautauqua Writers’ Festival. His first collection of short stories, Fires of Our Choosing, is forthcoming in February 2012 from DZANC Books.

Date/Time: Tuesday, February 21, 2012; 6:30pm-9:00pm
Sessions: 1
Location: Chicago studio, 4043 N. Ravenswood #222

Course Fee: Non-Member:$45; Member: $40