Class Description
How do you keep your readers in... SUSPENSE?! This class will show you the dark-and-stormy workings of suspense and tension and fear through a nail-biting 10 weeks, during which we'll read, take apart, and study the mechanics of three brilliant novels: Daphne Du Maurier's _Rebecca_ (THE definitive romantic thriller!); Ira Levin's _Rosemary's Baby_ (THE definitive supernatural thriller!) and Thomas Harris' _Red Dragon_ (THE definitive serial killer thriller!). We'll look at the structuring of plot, characterization, use of Point of View, escalation, pacing and other tools for the building of SUSPENSE! not just as they are used in these three books, but in other classic thrillers so that you can have your own readers sweating bullets as they compulsively turn pages until dawn. The edge-of-your-seat techniques of SUSPENSE! will be studied not just in the context of prose writing, but also screen and TV writing and play writing. The class will entail in-class writing exercises, and there will be workshopping of students' fiction in each class as well. Recommended for students with previous workshop experience.
Did you know that we have scholarships available for all GrubStreet classes? To apply, click the "APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIP" button in the top right corner of this page. In order to be considered for a scholarship, you must complete your scholarship application and await our Scholarship Committee's decision before registering for the class. Scholarships cannot be applied retroactively.
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!