As advanced writers, sometimes we need a break from workshop. In this “woodshop," we’ll reframe the guiding question of workshop: rather than critiquing stories we’ve already finished, we'll heavily focus on generative writing, which will then be submitted for group discussion. We'll also discuss contemporary stories as well as foster a supportive, engaged writing community. Rather than emphasizing what's “broken” in our stories, we’ll deeply explore each author’s original intentions. And the only way to identify an author’s intentions is to reflect on those decisions made on the page. In this woodshop, students will write and submit three new fiction pieces for class critique. Students can also expect to do some in-class assignments and to write a short critique for each woodshop submission. One of the great benefits of this generative experience is that it helps us to look at our own work more objectively—to read it like any reader would and to see how our stories impact others.
Please note: Because this class starts late, it will have one additional meeting on Friday, September 13, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 MDT.
Required Texts:
American Short Fiction, Issue 79
*Copies of this text can be purchased online at American Short Fiction.
Prerequisite: At least one intermediate or advanced class and permission from the instructor. To apply, please email a writing sample (three to five pages) and a brief description of your workshop history to [email protected].
