This may require pulling the piece apart and restructuring it thoroughly, developing the characters, or creating a different voice. We discuss traditional and unconventional structures, new approaches to storytelling, engaging the reader, maintaining a convincing voice and point of view, creating vivid characters, establishing setting, back story, what information to give and what to take out, language, balance, sentence structure, and rhythm. Successful novels, short stories, and films are discussed to illustrate some of the points. In this workshop, students of all backgrounds are invited to celebrate the diversity of contemporary literature. Traditional and nontraditional styles are explored, as well as immigrant, class, and cross-cultural themes.
Revision is encouraged, with an eye toward publication.
We also read short fiction by Cheever, Ellison, Paley, Rushdie, Achebe, Junot Diaz, Jang Rae Lee, Calvino, Danticat, Carver, Oe, and others. David Grand Permission required. Attention is given to the creation of images that engage the senses and seize the imagination. Students start from a draft of a story or a seed of a novel and submit writing on a regular basis. Supporting evaluation and assistance is provided on all work submitted.