Class Description
The progression of drama moves a narrative forward. In great writing, energy, freshness, and life are also found down in the roots of the sentences—in all those things that contribute to narrative voice: language, syntax, imagery, humor, detail. In this seminar, we'll look at work by Aleksandar Hemon, Mavis Gallant, and others, considering how these writers, at both macro and micro levels, propel us as readers and keep us interested and invested. Some readings will be emailed in advance. You should bring to class a story-in-progress, or an outline or fragment of a story. We will discuss your work and consider ways you might infuse the writing with dramatic energy so your narratives pulse with life. You will come away with a greater awareness of the tools at your disposal for invigorating your prose, engaging your readers on various levels, and creating momentum in your stories. While our examples will come from literary fiction, the principles discussed will also be useful to non-fiction writers as well. Students of all levels are 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 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!