Fiction is a lie--a beautiful lie that holds inside it a human truth. In this class, we will explore this apparent contradiction and learn how to craft truthful lies. Over the course of the semester, we will read selected contemporary fiction, with a special emphasis on the craft of writing. We'll discuss characterization, point of view, plot, structure, dialogue, fictional time, and fictional space. You'll write one short story and bring it to class for your peers to critique, in a format commonly known as the "workshop." You will also revise this story, using techniques discussed in class. The aims of this course are: (a) to refine your understanding of the attributes, techniques, and styles of fiction; and (b) to help you improve your own writing through effective use of reader feedback and revision strategies. Readings may include work by Franz Kafka, Alifa Rifaat, J.M. Coetzee, Louise Erdrich, Julie Otsuka, Gabriel García Márquez, and others. |