Experimental Fiction: A Generative Writing Workshop – Summer Intensive [Durham, NC]

from $340.00

**This course is in-person only. There is no virtual component. Participants must be age 21+

**Repeat students are welcome!

Tuition: Sliding Scale, $340-$460 — To pay in installments, choose to pay with PayPal or Klarna at check out.

Instructor: Christa Westaway | Daily | June 7-13 | In-Person, Durham, NC

Where do stories come from? How can a storyteller create an entire world from a feeling, a question, or an image? In this one-week workshop, we’ll draw on our own experiences and use experimental techniques to transform them into fiction. We’ll try out language games and get inspired by short experimental fiction in order to draft vignettes and flash fiction stories. During class time, we’ll read a variety of very short fiction to ask what counts as a story while trying out genres from realism to surrealism to science fiction. Craft lessons will address character- and world-building, incorporating research, and writing evocative description and dialogue. By the end of the week, you’ll have a fully revised short book of your own fiction. You’ll build a rigorous writing practice, flow through drafting, workshopping, and revising, and engage a dedicated collective of readers to manifest your own stories.

Participants are asked to read Leonora Carrington’s short story, “The Debutante” in advance. No other reading/preparation is required outside of listed meeting times. Optional readings will be provided.

SCHEDULE:

Sunday June 7: 2:00-5:00 PM, workshop meeting

Monday June 8-Wednesday June 10: 7:00-9:00 PM, workshop meeting

Thursday June 11: 7:00-9:00 PM, self-directed writing/revision time (off site)

Friday June 12: 5:30-7:30 PM, optional book-binding

Saturday June 13: 6:00-7:00 PM, class reading / presentation

**Please plan to attend Sunday through Wednesday and Saturday sessions in-person. Thursday will be self-directed; Friday is optional in-person or can be done independently. 

SLIDING SCALE TUITION

Full tuition is the cost per-student of running the class. If you choose a tier below full tuition, you are receiving a discount. If you choose to make a donation in addition to full tuition, you are helping to cover the cost for students who are not able to pay the full amount.

The mid-level tier is a discounted rate for people whose household income is at or above living wage but who have limited discretionary income. 

The low-level tier is for people whose household income is below living wage or who need extra assistance to meet their needs.

All sliding-scale needs are self-assessed, and we will never request or require proof of need.

Please see our FAQ for more information, including installment plans, refund policy, and sick and inclement weather policy.

Enroll:

**This course is in-person only. There is no virtual component. Participants must be age 21+

**Repeat students are welcome!

Tuition: Sliding Scale, $340-$460 — To pay in installments, choose to pay with PayPal or Klarna at check out.

Instructor: Christa Westaway | Daily | June 7-13 | In-Person, Durham, NC

Where do stories come from? How can a storyteller create an entire world from a feeling, a question, or an image? In this one-week workshop, we’ll draw on our own experiences and use experimental techniques to transform them into fiction. We’ll try out language games and get inspired by short experimental fiction in order to draft vignettes and flash fiction stories. During class time, we’ll read a variety of very short fiction to ask what counts as a story while trying out genres from realism to surrealism to science fiction. Craft lessons will address character- and world-building, incorporating research, and writing evocative description and dialogue. By the end of the week, you’ll have a fully revised short book of your own fiction. You’ll build a rigorous writing practice, flow through drafting, workshopping, and revising, and engage a dedicated collective of readers to manifest your own stories.

Participants are asked to read Leonora Carrington’s short story, “The Debutante” in advance. No other reading/preparation is required outside of listed meeting times. Optional readings will be provided.

SCHEDULE:

Sunday June 7: 2:00-5:00 PM, workshop meeting

Monday June 8-Wednesday June 10: 7:00-9:00 PM, workshop meeting

Thursday June 11: 7:00-9:00 PM, self-directed writing/revision time (off site)

Friday June 12: 5:30-7:30 PM, optional book-binding

Saturday June 13: 6:00-7:00 PM, class reading / presentation

**Please plan to attend Sunday through Wednesday and Saturday sessions in-person. Thursday will be self-directed; Friday is optional in-person or can be done independently. 

SLIDING SCALE TUITION

Full tuition is the cost per-student of running the class. If you choose a tier below full tuition, you are receiving a discount. If you choose to make a donation in addition to full tuition, you are helping to cover the cost for students who are not able to pay the full amount.

The mid-level tier is a discounted rate for people whose household income is at or above living wage but who have limited discretionary income. 

The low-level tier is for people whose household income is below living wage or who need extra assistance to meet their needs.

All sliding-scale needs are self-assessed, and we will never request or require proof of need.

Please see our FAQ for more information, including installment plans, refund policy, and sick and inclement weather policy.