Four Mondays: March 25, April 1, 8, 15 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET Online
Lecture and Discussion with Writing Exercises. This live class will be recorded and available for later viewing.
F. Scott Fitzgerald once wrote, “Action is character.” George V. Higgins said, “Dialogue is character.” Ultimately, they’re both right.
In this class that focuses on the art of effective dialogue, we’ll examine why it’s essential to all storytelling and how to use it to present natural, convincing characters, create tension, and ultimately when and how to bring speech into fiction.
We’ll start each class with a close reading of short stories that employ impeccable dialogue to help us identify effective techniques and discuss how we can adopt those tactics into our own writing. We will also perform both in- and out-of-class exercises that help us train our ear to speech patterns in the real world and learn how to use dialogue to drive the plot forward and keep our readers interested.
Each class will include a workshop where we’ll discuss several student works and offer feedback to each writer based on what we learn each session.
By registering for this class, students agree they will follow these terms:
-
Abide by our “Code of Conduct” while attending the class
-
Will not share overtly obscene, hateful, or objectionable content.
-
Will not share content that students do not have the rights to.
Any work that perpetuates violence, inappropriate sexual conduct, racism, or negative stereotypes will not receive edits by the instructor or be circulated in the class.
Code of Conduct:
Politics and Prose Bookstore is devoted to cultivating community and strengthening the common good through books, author talks, literary programs, and respectful dialogue. We strive to foster a safe, welcoming, inclusive environment for all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, or ability. In that spirit, we ask everyone in this shared, communal space to treat each other equally, fairly, and thoughtfully; honor different voices, life experiences, and points of view; and celebrate the diversity that makes our community richer and stronger. Hate, discrimination, and disrespect have no place at P&P; kindness, patience, and tolerance always do.
Four Mondays: March 25, April 1, 8, 15 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. EST Online
Required Books:
The Best Short Stories 2023: The O. Henry Prize Winners by Lauren Groff (editor) (9780593470596)
Brittany Kerfoot is the former Director of Events at Politics and Prose and currently works in documentary and television production. She holds a Master in Fine Arts in Creative Writing from George Mason University and has taught English and Creative Writing to undergraduate students. Her work has been published in The Doctor TJ Eckleburg Review, Driftwood Press, and Madcap Review, among others. She is at work on her first novel.
REFUND POLICY: Please note that we can issue class refunds up until seven (7) days before the first class session.
