Class Description
In fiction genres that require extensive worldbuilding (speculative fiction, historical fiction, westerns, etc.), writers deal with a constant balancing act. How much time do we spend brainstorming and researching world? How much time do we spend on the actual narrative? Which has to come first? Even for writers who have struck a good balance, these writing modes can develop as two separate straits. The actual process of bringing them together can feel mysterious.
This short class offers a series of exercises that combine the acts of worldbuilding and scene-writing. First, we’ll start with worldbuilding and apply the information we invent directly to scene. In another exercise, we’ll start with scene, uncover elements of the world that still need to be invented, and move into worldbuilding. This two-way process is meant to develop our writing muscles so that when we sit down to write, we can move seamlessly between worldbuilding and narrative, no matter which comes first.
This class is open to writers of all levels and all genres, though the examples will be primarily based in speculative fiction.
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 detailed information about GrubStreet scholarships, including how to contribute to scholarship funds for other students, click here.
This class will take place using Zoom videoconferencing. After registering, a yellow Resources tab will appear in this section containing a link to join class. Please note that you will need to be logged into view the Resources tab.
Zoom Participation:
In our experience, the intimate nature of a writing workshop benefits from on-camera participation. Students are of course welcome to turn their camera off whenever they need to, but it is a community norm for cameras to be on most of the time. You can learn more about using Zoom here.
Zoom Accessibility:
You can enable closed captioning at any time during the meeting by clicking the CC button at the bottom of the screen. If you'd like to access the transcript after class, please make sure to let your instructor ahead of time that you'd like a copy.