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Meet THe Team
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In this three-hour workshop, we will explore alternatives to the traditional narrative arc, in which action is imagined as a process of swelling, cresting, and falling. What other possibilities exist for structuring a story? What, besides interpersonal conflict and tension, might "happen"? And how might events be arranged in ways that generate momentum but are not limited to cause and effect? Using Jane Allison's Meander, Spiral, Explode as a guide—along with examples from fiction writers like W.G. Sebald, Jessica Au, Claire-Louise Bennett, Danielle Dutton, Eva Figes, and others—participants will gain exposure to and hands-on practice with variations on conventional plot.
• In-Class Writing Lift: Light
• Homework: None
• Workshopping Drafts: None
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Elizabeth Brogden is a writer and editor based in Cambridge, MA. Her writing has appeared in The Common, Times Literary Supplement, Bellevue Literary Review, La Piccioletta Barca, and Full-Stop, among others. She was a finalist for The Kenyon Review's 2024 Short Fiction Contest and is at work on her first novel. You can read more about her background and current projects at www.golightlyeditorial.com.
"Elizabeth was knowledgeable, kind, and motivating. Her excitement about the genre translated into our excitement to get our feet wet and experiment with our writing. The readings she provided were hugely helpful in understanding this newer form, and I've come away with a toolkit ready and waiting for use in my future projects!"
"Elizabeth is a generous and insightful instructor; I loved her class!"
"Absolutely loved Elizabeth's class—it inspired me and taught me about all sorts of wonderful new possibilities."
