Courses

Some books keep us reading late into the night to find what the next plot twist might be, while others encourage us to linger over subtle characterization, complex ideas, and luminous prose. But what about that rare story or novel that manages to do both? In this course, we’ll learn how to maximize momentum and quicken pacing without resorting to gimmicks or formulas. By studying the work of literary authors who excel at suspense, like Katie Kitamura, Ottessa Moshfegh, and Andre Dubus III, we’ll consider how “slow burn” stories and literary novels both capitalize on and subvert the tropes of crime fiction. Students will engage in a variety of generative exercises to help learn how to mobilize plot and heighten tension through the deepening of character psychology or the manipulation of point of view. Each student will apply their new skills to a story or novel excerpt to be workshopped by the instructor and peers. During the workshop, we’ll focus on increasing suspense in ways that honor the individual voice and unique concerns of each writer’s project. Students will have the option to submit to the instructor a revision of this workshopped piece for an additional critique.