A course in literary craftsmanship in which you will learn in practice how to come up with complete stories and apply the techniques of a variety of directions in your texts: detective, horror, documentary, and erotic prose.
You will study the rules, try your hand at different genres, find your own stylistic combinations, and, as a result, write nine texts!
The first part of the class focuses on theory, in the second part you apply knowledge in practice. After each lesson you get homework and write your text.
There will be a lot of practice and work with your texts, be prepared to write, read and comment weekly!
You will learn how to
- Work on your texts systematically and regularly
- Use writing techniques from different genres
- Analyze the work of others as a writer
- Choose literary techniques that suit you personally
At the end of the course you will write 9 sketches and the full-length final story.
Course Program
1 STUDY
WHAT IS GENRE?
Reader expectations and writer’s limitations. Multi-genre and inter-genre. Theory of effect in literature-what means does the author use to influence the reader?
STUDY 2.
TERRORS .
The scary phenomenon: why do we love to be scared? Gothic literature. Common fears and phobias. The Nature of Suspense.
STUDY 3.
DETECTIVE .
Mystery is the primary basis of the narrative. Cat-and-mouse: the relationship between the detective and the criminal. The perfect ending. The detective story and the novel, how form affects content.
4 STUDY.
FANTASTICS
How does a fantasy assumption work? Fantasy and fantasy. Science fiction. How do you create original worlds?
5 STUDY.
ANTIUTOPIA
Anti-utopia and utopia – is there a difference? Man, society and scientific and technological progress. Ethics and morality – the basis of conflict. Anti-utopia in the West. Where should we look for new stories?
6 STUDY
MAGICAL REALISM.
Magic and reality – what is the proportion? Adventures of style: the techniques of fine art in literature. Specifics of magical realism in the 21st century.
7 STUDY
EROTICS .
How do we write about love? What do we write about when we write about sex? Physiology in a fiction text. Context and subtext.
8 STUDY.
HUMOROUS PROSE.
The anecdote as the perfect story. Humor in life and humor in literature. How to make the reader laugh?
9 STUDY
THE DOCUMENTARY NARRATIVE.
Journalism and fiction. How do you work with the story? Fact-checking and editing.
10 STUDY
AUTOFICTION
Autofiction and autobiography – what is the difference? Personal experience as story material. How to find a unique voice?