Do you struggle with the basic elements of the short story? This class will teach you the essentials. In two weeks, Richard Thomas will help you nail the mechanics of the short story. Perfect if you're a beginner, but anyone who wants to do some serious, fast-and-furious writing is welcome.
COURSE OVERVIEW
This class is a writing intensive; at the end of two weeks you’ll have a short story of 4,000 words or less.
Students will be assigned a lecture to read and a writing exercise on the first day of class. You’ll have two days to complete the reading and homework before another lecture and exercise are assigned.
You’ll cover the most basic tenets of building a successful short story: from looking at the big picture, to building tension, to finding your setting. You’ll create a piece of writing that you’ll hammer and refine at the end of each day.
The ultimate goal is to produce a short story—no more than 4,000 words—by the end of the class. On the final day students will turn your story in to Richard, and he’ll get a critique back to you within a week, along with some suggestions on suitable markets.
This is a fast and furious breakdown of short story structure, aimed at getting you working, getting you writing, and pushing you toward the goal of publication. You’re going to work hard—but in the end, it’s going to be worth it. These tools will last you the lifetime of your writing career.
Books
All reading material, both lectures and short stories, will be provided by Richard.
WHO IS THIS CLASS FOR?
Beginning students who need to learn the fundamentals of story building.
Writers who have the time and discipline to read and write every day for the next two weeks.
Writers who want a refresher on short story story mechanics.
Writers who have written but not yet published any stories.
Writers who need help with the mechanics, and the structure, of what is essential in a short story.
Authors looking to up their game, and write not just complete stories, but better stories.
Author who are writing a lot, but feel that something is not working, or missing from their short fiction, but they aren’t sure what it is.
Syllabus
Day One: Big Picture and Voice // Lecture on Freytag’s Triangle. Questions on what are your strongest and weakest aspects. Short assignment based on the answer.
Day Three: Narrative Hooks // A lecture on the narrative hooks of acclaimed author Ron Rash, and what makes a good hook in general. Assignment to write hooks, some short, one sentence, some longer, an entire paragraph.
Day Five: Tension // Further discussion on inciting incidents, starting your story “in media res,” and how to get your character moving. Short assignment.
Day Seven: Theme and Mood // Stepping back from the structure for a second to lecture on the feelings and emotions of your story, and what you should be establishing. Assignment given.
Day Nine: Conflict // Lecture on how to build on your conflict, which should have been established with your hook, inciting incident, and theme/mood. Assignment given.
Day Eleven: Setting // Stepping back to think about the setting. Taking into account logistics, weather, season, locations, neighborhoods, cities, etc. Assignment given.
Day Thirteen: Resolution. Lecture on how the story will eventually resolve itself, the epiphany, or change, and how the ending should leave the reader feeling something. Assignment will be finished, and turned in for a final critique.
Sound good? Check out our Payment Plans and Referral Program.
Ready to sign up? We’d love to have you.
NOTE: THERE IS AN AT YOUR OWN PACE (AYOP) VERSION OF THIS CLASS. IF THE STANDARD VERSION IS SOLD OUT, INQUIRE ABOUT HOW WE CAN MAKE THIS WORK FOR YOUR SCHEDULE AND BUDGET.
Clicking the Enroll button will redirect to LitReactor’s site to purchase your class.
the details
Class Size: 20 Students
Cost: $299
Platform: LitReactor
Structure: Forum
Duration: Two Weeks
Clicking the Enroll button will redirect to LitReactor’s site to purchase your class.
You will be taken to LitReactor to purchase the class
objectives
Master the mechanics of the short story
Learn how to internalize and utilize those skills in the future
Produce a short story, no more than 4,000 words
Get solid suggestions on where to send it
Gamut Writers’ Retreat, Wicker Park.
The Horror Writers’ Workshop, Transylvania.
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“Richard has a wealth of knowledge and insight; this class expanded and deepened my understanding of contemporary dark fiction to an extent that I don’t think I could have achieved on my own. ”
