Class Description
Novelists who don’t have a handle on subtext—the mysterious energy between the words of your novel—are often accused of overwriting or underwriting and spend years in revision with little result. Learn how to tackle this beast in a way that helps to involve readers in your story as well as increase tension, foreshadowing and suspense. Through craft discussions, the examination of published work, and writing exercises, we will examine how a strong setting goes far in providing subtext, but also how subtext reveals itself in scenes of dialogue and action. By the end of the course, you will know the keys to keeping your readers on their toes and eagerly turning the pages. Bring your laptops or notebooks and a digital or printed copy of your novel-in-progress for reference.
Part of The Novel Series, which teaches students the skills and craft of writing novels. All such classes offered this term include:
- The Novel Series: Conflict for the Conflict Adverse
- The Novel Series: Dynamic Scenes & Chapters
- The Novel Series: Subtext, Setting, & Suspense
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. Please visit the Resources tab to access the video-conference link.
Zoom Participation:
Students are not required to turn their camera on, but are encouraged to participate any way they feel comfortable through functions such as the live chat, emoji reactions, and unmuting the microphone. Learn more about using Zoom here.
Zoom Accessibility:
We ask that instructors enable closed captioning and send a transcript of the session after class. You can also enable closed captioning at any time during the meeting. If your instructor forgets to send the transcript, just send ’em an email!