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.

Class outcomes:

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 ]

Access Program
We want our writing classes and seminars to be accessible to everyone, regardless of income and background. We understand that our tuition structure can present obstacles for some people. Our Access Program offers writing class and seminar tuitions at a reduced rate. Most writing classes have at least one access spot available.

Please apply here for access rate tuition. Contact Susan Moore at [email protected] if you have questions.

Liaison position
Every in-person class and seminar at Literary Arts has one liaison position. Liaisons perform specific duties for each class meeting. If you are a liaison for a class or seminar, the full amount of your tuition is covered by Literary Arts.

Apply here for the liaison position.