Mapping the Story: Freedom Through Narrative Structure

Have you ever wanted to write a work of narrative fiction – a short story, novel, play, or screenplay – but didn’t know where to start? Or have you begun one but haven’t been able to finish? Mapping the Story will teach you the basics of dramatic structure so that you can make it to “The End.”

The workshop will begin with an interactive seminar on narrative structure. Participants will then analyze and present the dramatic beats of one of their favorite pieces of fiction to better understand what makes the story “work.” We’ll then apply those principles to your own work of fiction, devising character-driven scenes for maximum emotional effect.

By the end of the workshop, participants will have honed the dramatic beats of their own work, culminating in an outline to guide their first or revised draft.

Participants should expect weekly assignments but less generative writing. We are not workshopping pages but designing the story. With an open mind and a stack of index cards, we’ll embrace the artistic paradox of freedom through structure. This course is for writers and readers of all levels.

Introduce the approach of outlining before drafting
Analyze narrative structure in prose and dramatic works to better understand
how and why certain stories make us feel a particular way
Apply story principles to the participant’s new or revised project outline
Encourage group brainstorming and critique
Create an ambitious but obtainable plan for the first or revised draft ]