Short Story Writing

(EGL 123 W)

Few literary experiences are as satisfying as encountering a beautifully crafted short story, whether it appears in a crisp, brand-new copy of the latest New Yorker or a dusty old anthology. And there are few processes as mystifying as writing a short story for the first time! Created for students who may not have taken a fiction workshop before, this course will demystify the storytelling act, providing an in-depth discussion of all the elements essential to writing gripping, illuminative short fiction. In addition to reading selected masterpieces of the genre, we will complete a series of short writing exercises designed to generate material and strengthen technique, helping you to create memorable characters, compose compelling scenes, and construct plots that are both surprising and revelatory. In the second half of the quarter, each student will turn one of these exercises into a fulllength short story, submitting it to be workshopped in a supportive online environment.

For more information about The Online Writer's Studio, please visit our FAQs.

Rusty Dolleman, Former Stegner Fellow

Rusty Dolleman received an MA in English and Writing from the University of New Hampshire. His work has appeared in The Iowa Review and The Beloit Fiction Journal, among others. His short story, “September, 1981” was named in “One Hundred Other Distinguished Stories of 2007” in the 2008 edition of The Best American Short Stories. Dolleman is currently at work on a novel.