Short Story Course with Kiare Ladner

“With the short story, you are up against mortality. I know how tough they are as a form, but they’re also a total joy.” Ali Smith

Are you keen to play, to experiment, to explore? Are you finding your voice as a writer? Or are you a seasoned writer eager to try a new method or style? Are you struggling to hone your prose so that readers ‘get’ it? Or so that it more fully conveys your inspiration or vision?

Over six weeks, we’ll workshop your stories, interlinked stories or genre bending ideas. If what you’re writing is brief, we’re interested in how you can make it as powerful as possible. We’ll also look at a diverse selection of short stories by international writers, such as Irenosen Okojie, Kawabata Yasunari, Daniyal Mueenuddin, Lydia Davis, Rachida el-Charni and others.

The sessions will focus on:

Week 1: Why we read short stories, and why we write them: exploring process, feedback and territory

Week 2: The unforgettable image (including discussion of situation and title)

Week 3: Character: its role and elasticity in the short story form

Week 4: Beginnings, endings and time

Week 5: Theme and imagery

Week 6: Editing: precision and power when every word counts

Together we’ll discuss what works, how it works and why it works. Our examination of the craft will range from the traditional to the experimental, from character-based to thematically driven, from stories that expand a moment to those that cover a lifetime. Optional extra stories will be provided for particularly keen readers.

Come along if you’d like to be inspired, motivated and challenged in your practice. All levels and returning students are welcome.