What to Expect in the First Lesson

In the first lesson of Perfecting Your Short Story, we will discuss and examine a few of the key components of writing a story. We will talk about the importance of a story’s setting and evaluate the different ways in which setting can be achieved. We’ll discuss how to pace a story efficiently and how to make smooth transitions. We will examine the task of developing complete characters in a limited space and I will ask you to consider ways to strengthen the perception of your characters to ensure that, by the time your reader finishes reading your story, the he or she will feel as if they truly know and understand your characters. We will also discuss how voice, point of view, and tone are essential in the formation of a successful and inspiring story.

Following an overarching lesson on these topics, you will be asked to read two short stories and to contribute in a discussion on the posting system in which we will consider all the ways that we see these qualities at work in the stories. The two stories you will be reading are William Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily” and Willa Cather’s “Her Boss.” Both stories are available in the public domain. If you would like to get a head start on the reading, I have included the links below.
“A Rose for Emily”
http://xroads.virginia.edu/~drbr/wf_rose.html
“Her Boss”
http://www.readbookonline.net/readOnLine/8890/