Fiction Intensive: Crafting a First Book

In this seminar, we will take a deep dive into the creation of debut books. You will come away from the course with an expansive sense of what goes into crafting a first novel or short story collection, from its earliest ideas to a fully realized book. Reading some of the most exciting contemporary fiction -- including work by Jhumpa Lahiri, Gish Jen and Gary Shteyngart -- we will examine each work as a model for inspiration and imitation. Through weekly writing prompts and in-depth discussions, we will explore and practice how writers build nuanced and multi-dimensional characters, sharp and believable dialogue, sustained suspense and other techniques essential to writing powerful fiction. Some weeks authors will visit the class, giving us the unique chance to analyze their work with them, and to learn about the craft and life of a working fiction writer. Fulfills short story literature requirement for the Minor in Creative Writing and the Creative Writing Emphasis in the English Major.