Born in Scotland and raised in South Africa, Erin McKnight now lives in Virginia. She holds a B.A. in English from the University of Maryland with a minor in journalism, and an A.A. in liberal arts from the University of Hawaii. Erin will receive her M.F.A. in creative writing, with a specialization in fiction, next year. Her writing has appeared in numerous publications, including Long Story Short, The Rose & Thorn Literary E-Zine, Double Dare Press, Siren: A Literary & Art Journal, Diddledog, The Flask Review, Six Sentences, The Bergen Street Review, 971 MENU, and Ginosko Literary Journal. Her short story, “Generals,” was recently selected for inclusion in an anthology of writing published in issues of Ginosko. Erin has attended several workshops and a studio for professional writers of fiction. She currently serves as an assistant editor of fiction and nonfiction for The Rose & Thorn Literary E-Zine.
Fiction in a Flash
Instructor: Erin McKnight
Are you ready to plunge into the pool of flash fiction? Be prepared to hold your breath! Although the water appears shallow, the emotional impact of this form of writing has depths rivaling the high seas of longer fiction.
Flash fiction, when crafted with care, has the ability to work both within the boundaries of fiction and on the periphery of what is considered traditional storytelling. In the world of flash, a compelling story can be told in less than a hundred words!
During this six-week workshop, advanced writers looking to fine-tune their skills in brevity and control and aspiring writers interested in experimenting with this cutting-edge mode will have the opportunity to explore this in-demand form of writing.
By the end of the course, writers will have produced two polished pieces of flash fiction. Each work will be critiqued in a supportive environment intended to celebrate the writer’s voice and vision, and will provide the feedback essential in the reviewing and editing stages of writing.
Session 1:
We will familiarize ourselves with the distilled nature of flash fiction and determine how flash conforms to traditional storytelling, while managing to break all the rules. We will consider the various lengths and methods used in creating flash, and to what extent they shape our writing.
Each student will provide two potential topics for the flash they will be working on throughout the workshop.
Session 2:
We will consider how the flash writing process differs from that of traditional fiction, focusing on the interplay between conventional elements of setting, plot, climax, character, and dialogue.
Rough drafts will be submitted for the first piece of flash.
Session 3:
Peer critique--conforming to the “LSS Critiquing Guidelines”--of the rough drafts will take place during this session, and is intended to facilitate the writer in developing the story to its fullest potential.
Session 4:
We will consider how the writing of the second flash has evolved since the first piece of writing, as students reflect upon the previous week’s critiquing process and its impact on their drafting.
Rough drafts will be submitted for the second piece of flash.
Session 5:
Peer critiques of the second rough drafts will occur during this session, and will again reflect a supportive environment that fosters skillful writing.
Session 6:
The workshop will culminate in two complete, fully developed and edited stories that exhibit the smooth prose epitomized in flash fiction. Possible venues for publication will be identified, and tips for publication success in the flash market will be discussed.
Start Date: May 30, 2007, and every third Wednesday thereafter – contact instructor
Duration: 6 Weeks
Class Limit: 10 students per class
Class Materials: To be provided by instructor
Tuition: $85.00
Private Mentoring Option: $25.00 additional
