Narrative Time L.A.: 7-Week Fall Prose Writing Workshop

Overview: What is it?

The first three weeks of this course will focus on providing you with the tools to complete a rough draft of one long-form prose piece of writing: a short story, novel chapter, or creative nonfiction essay. We will do readings before each class, along with guided prompts, exercises, and lessons in class designed to support your writing.

The final three weeks will be spent sharing, critiquing, and discussing your own work and your peers' work in a collaborative, safe, and constructive environment.

The final day will accomodate any rescheduled workshops, and conclude with a celebration and reading of revised workshop stories.

Overview: Who is the teacher?

Claudia Ross is a writer, critic, and educator based in Los Angeles. Her debut novel, BABY, is forthcoming from Bloomsbury Publishing (announcement here). Her fiction and essays have been published in The Paris Review, The Baffler, Los Angeles Review of Books, Joyland Magazine, Columbia Journal, BOMB, and many others. She is a frequent contributor at international publications like Frieze, Hyperallergic, FLAUNT, ArtReview, Artforum, and elsewhere.

Claudia is a passionate, supportive creative writing teacher with almost ten years of experience leading courses designed to help students of all ages find their voices, craft unique and compelling narratives, and explore the ins and outs of creative writing. She received her Masters of Fine Arts in Fiction from University of California, Davis, where she led writing workshops and craft intensives at the college level. She currently teaches creative writing to adults at Barnsdall Art Center.

The Details

Dates and times:

The class will meet from 6-9pm on Wednesday evenings, with the first session on Wednesday, September 17.

Full schedule:

Wednesday, September 17, 6-9pm

Wednesday, September 24, 6-9pm

Wednesday, October 1, 6-9pm

Wednesday, October 8, 6-9pm

Wednesday, October 15, 6-9pm

Wednesday, October 22, 6-9pm

Wednesday, October 29, 6-9pm

Location:

This workshop will be hosted in-person at the new offices of SPEEDBOAT LA, an innovative architecture and design studio in Los Angeles (Hollywood), 90038. Address will be shared after enrollment.

Cost:

$425 for the entire 6-week course, all classes included

$375 if enrolling with a friend (discount activates with the purchase of 2 or more tickets)

Payment plans and sliding scale rates available on an individual basis, please contact instructor for details

Add-ons:

A one-on-one critique and feedback session with course instructor of a revision to your workshop piece following the conclusion of the course (held via Zoom), $75

Readings and lessons may include:

Short stories and essays by Lucia Berlin, Anton Chekhov, Donald Barthelme, Zadie Smith, K-Ming Chang, Mary Gaitskill, Julio Cortázar, and many others.

Lessons include explorations of plot, character, time, setting, and more.

Host or Publisher Writers' Room LA