Flash Fiction & Nonfiction

Flash Fiction & Nonfiction

Flash Fiction & Nonfiction is an Intensive, meaning it happens in a short time span (1 day in NYC, or 2 days on Zoom, or 3 weeks online). The course includes a mixture of lectures and exercises. It’s open to writers of any level. Farther down, you can view a syllabus for this course.

Flash storytelling is like a strike of lightning. So fast, but it leaves a lasting memory.

Flash refers to stories—true or made up—that range from a paragraph to a couple of pages.

What kinds of ideas work best for flash? How do you put all that power into a small container? Are there any special techniques that apply? Where can you publish works of flash?

You’ll find these answers in the class. You’ll also generate a handful of flash fiction or nonfiction ideas. And develop a complete flash story.

Whether you write fiction or nonfiction, very short or super short, we’ll show you how to light up the page.

About Flash Fiction & Nonfiction
Flash Fiction & Nonfiction

Notes

This course encompasses both fiction and nonfiction.

Make sure to explore (and perhaps submit to) Gotham’s own flash literary magazine: The Razor.

Upcoming Classes

If you test positive for Covid – Don’t come to class until you test negative. But let your teacher know and we’ll work to give you access to your missed classes via Zoom.

If you show Covid symptoms OR If you have been exposed to someone with Covid – Don’t come to class for at least 5 days after showing symptoms or exposure, and then take a test to confirm that you are negative. Let your teacher know and we’ll work to give you access to your missed classes via Zoom.

If you have any questions about this, you may call (212-974-8377) or email us ([email protected]).

Price

Registration fee $25, paid once per term

2-Day

Syllabus

This course gives an overview of how to write flash fiction or nonfiction, giving you a chance to generate ideas and write a complete flash piece. Course components:|
     Brief lectures
     Writing exercises/story development

Topics:
     What is Flash?: Length and impact.

     Key Elements: Idea, structure, protagonist.

     Tried and True Forms: Three effective forms for flash.

     Special Techniques: How you give flash its command and economy.

     Revision: How to strip it down to the essence, then apply a coat of polish.  

     Flash Finish: Finishing and sharing stories.

Note: Content may vary among individual classes.

Teachers

Arlaina Tibensky
Arlaina Tibensky

Arlaina Tibensky is the author of the novel And Then Things Fall Apart (Simon & Schuster). Her short stories and nonfiction have appeared in One Story, SmokeLong Quarterly, Reckon Review, The Dodge Magazine, Stanchion, Thimble Lit, @TheKeepThings, The Razor, McSweeney's Internet Tendency, Madison ReviewThe Dinner Party Download, and New Stories from the Midwest, 2018. She has received "The Best of the Net," "Best Small Fictions," and Pushcart nominations for her flash fiction. She holds a BA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and an MFA in Fiction from Columbia University.

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