Explore questions, mapping exercises, tools, and techniques to discover your story’s direction and how to get there.
There is no one-size-fits-all strategy for story structure. Let’s discuss a plan that works for you. We’ll examine your story’s strengths and weaknesses, focusing on both the destination and the journey. Does your narrative feature a compelling character arc, a strong point of entry, well-placed flashbacks, and a transformative, resonant ending? Will readers care? We will use maps, sketches, and diagrams, emphasizing the importance of revising your initial plan as your story evolves. Bring your specific idea for a short story, memoir, or novel.
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:
- Build flexible outlines that strengthen your plot
- Clarify the true purpose of your story
- Use techniques for effective beginnings and endings
- Develop character arcs through yearning and internal/external conflict
- Identify the key components of a successful scene
Time requirements
- N/A
Materials
- All reading materials will be provided.
Who should take this workshop?
- This workshop is designed for beginning and intermediate fiction and memoir writers looking to build the confidence to start, finish, and refine the plot and structure of their manuscripts.
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.
