Handbook

In this course you will examine the practice of the short story. Considering a variety of modernist and contemporary examples, you will explore the principles that have shaped the development of this form such as the use of stream of consciousness, epiphany, the function of compression and the rise of contemporary first person testimonies. In addition, we will look at techniques and strategies crucial to the success of the short form and useful to your development as writers, including point of view, narrative design, the development of voice and the use of economy and symbolism.

Throughout the course we will consider the influence of new technology on how we tell and transmit stories: we’ll think about the relationship between the short story and the blog, the contemporary development of the first person complex and the transmission of the short story through social media. Writing exercises will be provided and everyone will have the chance to workshop their writing and participate in the discussion of creative work. Consideration will also be given to vocational development. Accordingly, you will gain valuable skills in editing and in the later part of the course we will discuss the presentation and submission of your work for publication.