Class

8-Week: Developing Characterization through Setting and Voice in the Short Story

Character is unquestionably the driving force of a short story. Who your character is—their personality, desires, and the internal and external obstacles standing in their way—all provide the basis for a short story’s narrative arc and emotional resonance. But character doesn’t develop in a vacuum; true, deeply believable characters who resonate with readers emerge through place and voice. Crafting vivid, believable characters means anchoring them in their world and tapping into the cadence and rhythms of their distinct voices.
In the first half of this class, through craft lectures and exploring examples from contemporary literature, we’ll discuss techniques for creating settings that are more than just scenic backdrops, but rather intentional, precise places with a pull and influence on our characters’ psyches. And we’ll look at the ways in which a character’s voice shapes tone and mood, reveals interiority and personality, and sparks plot. Through guided writing prompts, we’ll develop characters and settings that crackle with life.

In the second half of the course, we’ll shift to a supportive workshop model, focusing on feedback and revision strategies. You’ll have the opportunity to share one short story you’ve developed, receiving thoughtful, written feedback from your classmates and instructor.
This eight-week generative and workshop-based course will explore the powerful tools setting and voice provide in revealing character and shaping a short story. This class is suitable for all levels and will be of particular interest to those working within the short story, though the principles discussed will be beneficial to all variations of fiction. Expect a mixture of craft lecture, close reading, lively discussion, hands-on writing, and skilled feedback.

All Classes listed on the Loft website take place in Central Time.

Instructions for Accessing This Online Class

In order to access live class meetings, you must have the Zoom application downloaded to your computer. You will also need a WiFi/Internet connection throughout the duration of your scheduled meeting and a computer with audio and video capability. The information to join your Zoom classroom will be provided in your confirmation email upon registration. Please check spam folders if you do not see this email upon registration. For more information on how to use Zoom, please see our training manual here.

Some classes use a supplemental Google Classroom page. Should your teaching artist use Google Classroom, you will be invited to join the classroom via email at least 24 hours in advance of your class (check spam folders if you are not seeing this invitation). Please note that Google Classroom requires a Gmail address to access the Classroom. If you do not have a Gmail account, the email invitation will be sent to the email address we have on file and will prompt you to create a free account or enter an existing account to join the classroom. If we are unable to send an email invitation to your non-gmail account, you will be contacted by a staff member to provide a Gmail address. If you do not have a Gmail account, you can create a free account here. Should you have concerns about this, please contact a Loft staff member at [email protected] or 612-379-8999. For more information on how to use Google Classroom, please see our training manual here.