This is a graduate level course designed, obviously, for those who are interested in exploring the art and craft of fiction. Students will revise their work and submit a final portfolio, a minimum of two stories of publishable quality, at the end of the semester. In addition to the stories, students will make a fifteen minute presentation to the class on any aspect or element of fiction that interests them. The class will also read essays concerning the theory and practice of fiction and will discuss issues raised by the essays during the class. Students will also read and discuss works of published fiction and use those works to help us define what exactly fiction is, or what it has been, or what it can be.
Critical reading is as important as creative writing in a workshop.
Good fiction writers are almost always strong critics. One cannot be a writer without first being a reader. The aim of the workshop discussions is to enable the writers to improve their work with the editorial and critical assistance of the readers. Our goal is to help the story in question to be the best story it can be. Contact Creative Writing Abroad Program Director John Bond to discuss eligibility for Independent Study.