Class

Writing Family Stories

Betrayal, tough love, secrets, regrets—families are filled with conflict. Sometimes family stories are thinly veiled fiction or our real lives that are difficult to capture. How can we write stories that embody these moments? And why are these stories so important to us?

Whether you are writing fiction or nonfiction, this generative class begins by examining family conflicts by reading a literary excerpt. After discussion and analysis, we will brainstorm family conflicts for potential stories. Students will learn about narrative arc, the various types of conflict and begin writing a story based on a prompt of their choice. Writers will leave this class with ideas for continuing their stories as well as various approaches for writing conflict.

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.