Let’s demystify the craft of fiction writing!

By studying basic craft elements of fiction, participants will build a strong foundation for their writing—be it stories or novels. This 7-week workshop will explore elements (characterization, setting, scene, etc.) one at a time and ask participants to practice them through in-class exercises. We’ll also read published stories to help us understand how writers regularly employ these elements. Class members will begin to put the elements together, too, as they start a story. You’ll leave the workshop with the tools you need to write wonderful, authentic fiction.

Live video conference: This workshop will be held via our online video conferencing platform, Zoom. You can view brief tutorials on using the platform here. On the start date or the day before, participants will receive an email with login info (please check your spam if you don’t see it).

In this workshop you’ll learn:

• Developing characters
• Moving from Character to Plot and Story
• Setting/Tone/Time
• Point of View / Narration
• Scene & Dialogue, and Revision

Time requirements

• 1/2 hour – 1 hour weekly

Materials

• The O. Henry Prize Winners/The Best Short Stories 2025, Edited by Edward P. Jones

Who should take this workshop?

• The workshop is designed for beginning fiction writers, intermediate fiction writers, and anyone looking to focus on bettering their fiction technique.

If you need an accommodation for this workshop, please contact us at access@writer.org. We will attempt to fulfill all requests, but advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility services.