Courses

Whether you are drafting your first short story or are a more experienced writer aiming to refine your craft, this workshop will help you create a narrative that grips readers with its energy and momentum. Maybe you're interested in fictionalizing a real-life event, or perhaps you plan to write a story built entirely from your imagination—like that ghost story set in the Roaring Twenties you've had in mind for years. Whatever your approach, you'll be encouraged to follow your vagabond narrative impulses while receiving craft-related instruction to help shape that story into a polished piece.

Through craft lessons, workshop discussions, and targeted writing exercises, you'll develop a singular story rich with sensory detail and vivid scenes. We'll explore the tragicomic quirks of compelling characters, examining motivation and learning how to achieve emotional depth on the page. Each student will submit a draft (up to 4,000 words) to be workshopped by the class and instructor. We will also analyze short stories by authors such as Nicole Krauss, Karin Lin-Greenberg, Chinelo Okparanta, and Andrew Martin, studying how they structure their narratives and bring flawed yet unforgettable characters to life. We'll finish by delving into the revision process, learning how to redraft with an eye for precision and the telling detail.