In this intense, generative workshop we'll be reading and modeling layered literary fiction that takes as its foundation some element of the crime narrative—murder and other violations of the social contract. In literary crime fiction, crime is often the excuse, the vehicle we use to transport us to the place we want to be—from social or political criticism to psychological exploration.
Each week we'll read gritty stories and novel excerpts by authors like Oyinkan Braithwaite, Joyce Carol Oates, Margaret Atwood, Carmen Maria Machado, Jonathan Lethem, Mary Gaitskill, Tommy Orange, Thomas McNeely, and Jill Ciment.
We will then consciously model their dynamics in one-to-three-page scenes. If you are working on a novel, you are welcome to write into/from that novel, but all work should be new. This class is designed to generate a lot of layered writing by both conscious intent and osmosis, not to teach verbal critique, and as such, follows the “hypoxic” workshop model—every student turns in work every week. In addition to written comments, half to three quarters of the class will read aloud and have their work micro-workshopped (very briefly) or used as the model for creative response. Those who do not read will be first to read next time. We will also do craft-focused in-class exercises.
All students will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with the instructor for an in depth conference about their work.
Trigger Warning: these stories involve murder and other violations of the social contract, some are heartbreaking, some visceral and disturbing. Please know your own limits.
Clemintine Guirado is a creativity consultant and an award-winning author who has taught writing for over twenty years at the university level. She specializes in unblocking advanced writers and teaching craft to beginners and late bloomers. Inspired by her own humbling creative path, she developed a keen interest in the creative process and has researched, practiced, and distilled powerful techniques and innovative hacks for writers. She has published short stories in Masters Review, StoryQuarterly, Best New American Voices, Rainbow Curve, Comet Magazine, and 580 Split among others. She was a Wallace Stegner Fiction Fellow at Stanford University, a Carl Djerassi Fiction Fellow at the University of Wisconsin, a Sacatar Foundation Fellow in Bahia, Brazil, and an Oregon Literary Fellow. She has been listed as an honorable mention in the Pushcart Prize anthology, and she just moved to Austin, Texas.
"I am so thankful for everything Clemintine has done for me this past year. I learned so much from her. She made writing accessible and achievable, while still challenging me and inspiring me. She is an exceptional teacher - talented, wise, insightful, and intuitive. When I look back on my goals for the six months, I've made so much progress - in the amount I've written, my writing process, and how I feel about and experience my writing. Going back to the home of writing has made me the most fulfilled I've felt in years, [particularly when my life is crowded with the needs of others]. I so appreciate all of her thoughtful feedback, exercises, and reading suggestions. And to top it all off, she's a really cool human. Grateful to know her and learn from her."
"I enjoyed every minute of Clemintine's writing class! Each session was full of inspirational techniques and engaging material, and I feel motivated to take my creative writing in a new, better direction. Our class discussions always left me thinking about about exciting ideas for my novel, and I can't wait to take another of Clemintine's classes."
"Clementine was a fantastic instructor and offered great advice! The exercises were very helpful. It was a great mix of discussing readings, exercises, and getting feedback on our own pages."
