“You don’t need an idea to start a story. You just need a sentence. Where does that sentence come from? Wherever. It doesn’t have to be anything special. It will become something special, over time, as you keep reacting to it.”

— George Saunders, A Swim in the Pond in the Rain

The short story is the French Horn of fiction – sometimes overlooked, sometimes difficult to master, it’s capable of beauty and tragedy as well as weirdness, suspense and delight. In this one-day workshop you’ll learn how writing short stories develops creative intuition and risk-taking, as well as exploring your own distinct voice. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced writer, instructor Krista Foss will guide you through the elements of story writing while encouraging you to break the rules beautifully.

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WORKSHOP OVERVIEW

9:30 AM – 10:00 AM		Arrival
10:00 AM – 10:30 AM		Introductions
		Tell me a story and I’ll tell you no lies: why short stories are important
10:30 AM – 11:00 AM		What makes a short story
		Poe’s version, Chekhov’s version, Jhumpa’s version, yours Exercise
11:00 AM – 11:30 AM		Beginnings
		Fools rush in: The first sentence The set up that isn’t a scaffold First words exercise
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM		Middles
		Complicating character Complicating plot Group work: puzzling the action
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM		Lunch
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM		Endings
		Inevitable, surprising but not too surprising The case for ending earlier Readings Exercise: make this end!
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM		Iterations
		Next draft, please Group work: edit in the round
3:00 PM – 3:30 PM		Reading and Sharing
3:30 PM – 4:00 PM		Wrap up and departure
		Next steps, Q&A, resources

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ABOUT THE FACILITATOR

Photo by Krista Ockenden

KRISTA FOSS is a novelist, essayist and short story writer. Her short fiction has appeared in several literary journals including Granta and she has twice been a finalist for the Journey Prize. Her essay writing has been featured in Best Canadian Essays and has been nominated for a National Magazine Award. She has two novels published by McClelland & Stewart: Smoke River (2014), which won the Hamilton Literary Award, and Half Life (2021). Krista is an experienced workshop teacher and a busy writing coach and editor. When she’s not lake swimming or in the woods, she’s working on a third novel and new short fiction from her home in Westport, Ontario.  

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COST & REGISTRATION

$125 + HST includes instruction and a gourmet lunch.

This workshop is limited to 18 participants.

Quantity:

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If registering for more than one person, please enter the number required as the “Quantity” and you will be charged accordingly.

HST is included in the checkout price.