The Shape of Story

Have you ever read a story or book that follows an unconventional plot, twisting, curving, or even wandering aimlessly? Yet, by the story’s end, you’re left breathless, wondering, how did the author do that?

In this two-hour class, we’ll dive into some of the different plot structures fiction writers can use. We’ll explore Western and non-Western structures, and examine several experimental structures. We’ll even look at what happens when writers throw plot out the window. By submerging ourselves in short stories and novel excerpts, we’ll see how authors utilize these different plot structures, as well as for inspiration in our own writing.

In a fun workshop, you’ll get feedback on your work, helping you sharpen your sense of structure, whether you’re writing a coming-of-age YA novel or multi-POV sci-fi epic.

At the end of six weeks, you’ll have a better understanding of how a variety of plot structures work, and how you can use them to level up your own writing. But mostly, we’ll have fun delving into all the different ways we can tell stories. This class is intended for writers of all levels, from folks just starting to put pen to page, to experienced writers looking for unique ways to plot their stories.

*We will skip on Nov 27 due to Thanksgiving.