Novel Revision Series: Point of View & Psychic Distance - Remote!

Storytelling is not just important for the human mind,” E.O. Wilson has said; “it IS the human mind.” If this is true, then voice and point of view are the storytelling modes in which the human mind is made manifest. And sometimes, a minor shift or adjustment in one of these modes can make the difference between a story that doesn’t quite work and one that really “clicks.”

In this craft-oriented seminar, we’ll analyze passages written by a number of classic and contemporary fiction writers as a way to explore the advantages and pitfalls of different voices and points of view. We’ll make an important distinction between point of view and psychic distance, and we’ll discuss the struggles, dilemmas, and opportunities relating to the perspective and style in which a story is written. In a series of targeted writing exercises, we’ll have a chance to apply what we’re learning to our own novels. Participants should bring in a selection of scenes or passages from their works-in-progress that they don’t mind rewriting.

This class will be hosted using live Zoom meetings! You will be able to participate in class via Zoom videoconference from wherever you’re most comfortable. All you’ll need is a laptop or a phone! About 15 minutes before your class is scheduled to begin, you'll receive an email from your instructor with a link to join the class meeting via Zoom–no need to download anything or sign up for Zoom in advance! If you have questions about remote learning, please feel free to reach out to [email protected] for more information.

For a glimpse at how remote learning works, look no further than the deep Zoom discussion of writing and literature below:

Scholarship Information

Thanks to the excellent literary citizenship of our donors, scholarships are available for all GrubStreet classes. To apply, click the gray "APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIP" button. In order to be considered for a scholarship, you must complete your application at least one week before the start date of a class. Please await our scholarship committee's decision before registering for the class. We cannot hold spots in classes, so the sooner you apply, the better. Scholarships cannot be applied retroactively.

For more more detailed information about GrubStreet scholarships, including how to contribute to scholarship funds for other students, click here.