3 Hours, 3 Beginnings

When we’re in a rut and out of ideas, starting a story can be the hardest part. We may find ourselves writing the same kinds of situations and characters, not realizing it’s time for inspiration. In this seminar, suitable for all levels of experience, we’ll read three published stories, look at a number of craft elements working particularly well in each, and use them as prompts for writing our own work. Whether it’s an actual beginning, a list of things a character doesn’t remember, a departure into dream logic, or a scene describing an unlikely friendship, by the end of three hours, you will leave with three fresh ideas, either seeds for new stories or a fresh angle on an existing piece. You'll have a chance to share the work you write in class for on-the-spot feedback from the instructor and peers, but the focus will be on generative writing.