“Ever since I began writing, I’ve been fascinated by the short story form,” Jennifer Lewis says. “You can read a short story from beginning to end in one sitting. I love the immediacy and resolve, the feeling of completion with an economy of words.”
In this 6-week class, we will generate short story ideas and create one complete first draft of a story. Step 1 will be drafting new material from in-class prompts. Step 2 will be sharing and receiving both partner and instructor feedback, and Step 3 you will learn about the revision process and make a plan to continue working on the draft once the class is finished.
Each week we will read a visceral short story from authors like C Pam Zhang, Zadie Smith, and Denis Johnson, discussing how the style used in each packs the most punch. We will do in-class writing prompts so we can practice channeling other voices, leaning into the absurd, and blurring the lines between reality and altered states.
“By the end of six weeks,” Jennifer says, “you’ll walk away with the ability to capture the aliveness that a short story often requires, and a better understanding of the revision process. Students will learn to purge their ideas via freewrites, then how to create some distance from their 'big ideas', and finally, to create brevity on the page.”
About The Writing Salon's Online Zoom Classes
You will be able to participate in live class meetings via Zoom videoconference. To attend classes, you'll need a phone, tablet or computer and access to the internet. You can participate in the class from wherever you'd like, whether on your living room couch or in your office. Before your class meets, you'll receive an email from The Writing Salon with more information about Zoom and your remote class. If you have any questions about remote learning, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at hello@writingsalons.com.
Jennifer Lewis is a writer, editor, and the publisher of Red Light Lit. Her debut short story collection, The New Low, is published by Black Lawrence Press. Jennifer won the Nomadic Press Bindle Award for her short story, “New Low,” and the Los Angeles Review Flash Fiction award for “Put a Teat in It.” She received her MFA in creative writing from San Francisco State University in May 2015. She teaches at The Writing Salon in San Francisco.
- Live Zoom Meeting: Sunday, July 13, 10:30am-1:00pm
- Live Zoom Meeting: Sunday, July 20, 10:30am-1:00pm
- Live Zoom Meeting: Sunday, July 27, 10:30am-1:00pm
- Live Zoom Meeting: Sunday, August 03, 10:30am-1:00pm
- Live Zoom Meeting: Sunday, August 10, 10:30am-1:00pm
- Live Zoom Meeting: Sunday, August 17, 10:30am-1:00pm
This class felt encouraging, yet challenging. Jennifer Lewis cared about each student and I felt that it allowed me to take bold steps as a writer.
I loved Jennifer’s passion for writing and the format of the class—everything met and surpassed my expectations.
Jennifer is a fabulous instructor. She listens deeply and offers insightful feedback, and is also highly charismatic and engaging.
I've taken a few of Jennifer's classes before and for good reason - she is an excellent instructor. Her personality and style allows for a comfortable and open class environment. She is also an authentic and passionate writer and encourages her students in a constructive and kind way. She provides helpful feedback on our writing, and her class structures provide a fantastic learning forum.