Jumpstart Your Novel: Providence

Class Description

Writing a novel can be an incredible journey of self-discovery. It can also be quite a struggle as you trek through the middle chapters, re-write your outline, and wonder if you will ever finish the thing. Not only is finding time to write difficult, but overcoming psychological blocks and narrative slumps takes patience and practice. Over the course of six weeks, we’ll read and discuss one complete novel: LaRose by Louise Erdrich. We’ll use it (along with short excerpts from other published novels) to illuminate elements such as character development, scene building, conflict, chapter structure, and narrative arc. Students will come away with a clear understanding of how these elements work in fiction, as well as strategies for employing them in their own projects. Students will write in class based on prompts from the instructor. They’ll also continue to generate material for their ongoing novels, sometimes sharing work aloud. The focus is on support and feedback, rather than critique. This class is suitable for writers at all stages of the novel-writing process.

Note: Class does not meet on June 1st.

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.