Monday 12 July
10.30 – 12.30: Introductions and examination of the short story form. Ideas and where they come from.
Playing with the Book of Ruth as a source of ‘what if?’ Characterisation – discussion and individual exercise.
Lunch break
13.30 – 14.30: Students introduce their own short story projects. Discussion and guidance on submission and peer reviewing.
14.30 – 16.30: Writing time: You can stay on in the Zoom room to do that if you'd like a bit of company, or log off if you'd prefer to work alone (you can also write later in the day if that's more suitable for you).
Tuesday 13 July
10.30 – 12.30: The classic form. Examining Chekhov, as one of the nineteenth-century masters, with a particular look at ‘The Lady with the Lapdog’ in terms of voice and style: who tells the story and how? A short practical exercise relating technique to the text.
Lunch break
13.30 – 14.30: Short story workshop, in which participants read and receive feedback on their emerging story.
14.30 – 16.30: Writing time
Wednesday 14 July
10.30 – 12.30: Introduction to Hemingway and 'The Killers', focusing on dialogue. Dialogue exercise in pairs or threes.
Lunch break
13.30 – 14.30: Short story workshop
14.30 – 16.30: Writing time
Thursday 15 July
10.30 – 12.30: The influence of Jorge Luis Borges (with reference to his story, Death and the Compass). Narrative structure, particularly looking at crime fiction. Group exercise – ‘Whodunnit and why?’
Lunch break
13.30 – 14.30: Short story workshop
14.30 – 16.30: Writing time
Friday 16 July
10.30 – 12.30: Alice Munro and The Beggar Maid. Guidance and discussion on openings and endings, followed by analysis of the openings and endings of the five short stories studied in the course. Keeping going – sustaining writing momentum and short story opportunities.
Lunch break
13.30 – 14.30: Review of each short story completed during the five days and the launch of the FIVE DAY SHORT STORY ANTHOLOGY, in which all are featured.