Online Class: Diagnosing Story Problems

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In this workshop, we look at tools to help you figure out where a story has gone wrong, and possible angles of attack to fix the problems. Plot structure, beta readers, and the dreaded writer’s block can all help narrow down the weakness in a story and ultimately fix it.

Classes will be taught via Zoom. Classwork will be uploaded to a shared Google Drive folder visible only to you and your classmates. The class will be divided between lecture and exercise. The class is capped at 50 students.

Class requirements: You need an interest in writing fiction, but you do not need to have written or published anything yet. You also must be able to use Zoom on a computer. (Note: You don’t need a web camera, although they’re useful, but you do need a working microphone, the internet and some speakers so you can hear us.)

Writing Workshop Grant: In each of my short fiction classes, I offer one or more seats for a person of color of a marginalized gender or sexuality, funded in part by my Patreon supporters. For this class, I have two chairs reserved. This includes, but is absolutely not limited to, women of color, trans or gay men of color, nonbinary people of color, and more. If you are uncertain whether you are eligible, don’t self reject: fill out the application! To apply, simply fill out this web form.

FAQs

Q: What’s the accessibility like?

A: It’s primarily a spoken lecture, with written exercises. Please let me know what accommodations you need.

Q: What timezone is the class in?

A: The classes are in Eastern time, so make sure you do the math for your own time zone. Here is a Time Zone Calculator.