Class

Advanced Short Fiction Workshop

Every good story has its own particular power. In this workshop, your peers and I will help you identify and build on your story’s energy and strengths.

The first two weeks, we’ll study short stories and figure out how they work, do generative writing exercises, discuss craft, and build a common language. Our discussions of craft - perspective, people, place, detail,
structure, tension and event - will center on close readings of stories by
writers such as Viet Thanh Nguyen, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Chekhov, and Claire Keegan. Starting week three, we'll begin workshopping student stories. Discussions will focus on craft. Each participant will receive written response from the teaching artist.

Students will share a story of up to 25 pages. We'll read a masterwork or an excerpt every week, read and discuss peer work for eight weeks. The teaching artist will be available for a 45-minute zoom with each student.

You will come away with thoughtful feedback on your story, a stronger grasp of craft, new ideas, a greater appreciation for how fantastic stories work, and, with luck, a community of writers.

Participants will receive a story via email for the first class discussion.

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.