Fiction Workshop: Honing the Art of Storytelling with Andy Touhy

You write something down and it’s awkward, trivial, artificial, approximate. But with effort . . . you can get it to open up, and expose what’s lurking there beyond the clumsy thing you first put down. —Deborah Eisenberg

“What makes a story compelling?” asks instructor Andy Touhy. “More importantly, what are the ways to make it compelling? In this online workshop, we’ll begin to really think about how to tell a good tale (short story or novel).

“Opening lines matter, as does point of view, as does the difference between what a character wants and what a character gets (the conflict that creates plot), as does engaging dialogue, and artful prose style, and images that fire the imagination. We’ll explore all the basic elements of craft—with an eye toward creating narratives that stick with readers long after the reading.”

Though the class may mix in readings for discussion and exercises, workshopping (sharing and critiquing of two drafts per writer) will be the primary focus. “We’ll grow as readers and listeners,” says Andy, “by approaching one another’s work as if it were our own, testing choices and material, and identifying strengths and weaknesses, so that the best of our hearts and minds make the page.” Andy will also give generous written feedback to each participant.