Class Description
Are you looking for more tools with which to create complex characters in your work? Do you find yourself having difficulty getting close enough to your characters to write intimately about them? Conversely, do you feel you understand something vital about your characters but can’t seem to bring it across on the page? In this seminar, we’ll look at a range of literary examples that may include writing by Edwidge Danticat, Garth Greenwell, Sigrid Nunez, Aleksandar Hemon, among others, and we’ll consider how the authors were able to access and depict their characters’ essential qualities. Please come with questions about problems you’re trying to solve surrounding characterization in your own work. Also, do bring in an excerpt of some of your writing, and we’ll discuss ideas regarding how you might further develop your characters. You’ll take away a wider set of options and/or solutions for bringing your characters to life. Some readings will be posted and should be done in advance. While we’ll focus on models from literary fiction, the principles discussed will also be useful for writers of narrative non-fiction. Writers of all levels welcome.
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 in-person at our Center for Creative Writing in Boston's Seaport neighborhood.
Covid-19 Update:
GrubStreet's space will be mask-optional when Boston's Covid-19 Community Level is low or medium. When the Covid-19 Community Level is high, our space will require masks. Please check GrubStreet's Covid-19 page for the latest info on masking and Community Levels before visiting in person.
Space Accessibility:
Our space is ADA accessible with automatic door openers, ADA-compliant restrooms, desk and table spacing, braille signage, and elevator. Our classrooms can be equipped with ALS for hard of hearing individuals. We cannot guarantee a scent-free environment. For more accessibility requests, please contact our Operations team at [email protected] or (617) 695-0075.