Dialogue in Fiction and Nonfiction: A Talk about Talking - Remote!

Class Description

Dialogue, as much as anything else, reveals the character to the writer and, ultimately to the reader. I don’t have a very clear idea of who the characters are until they start talking. ~ Joan Didion

Sometimes a line of dialogue can spark an entire story. Dialogue can be an entrance point: a character doing something, speaking, revealing themselves on the page. Because dialogue is the only time the reader hears directly from the characters without the filter of the narrator, the spoken words become a window to the heart and mind of the characters.
In this class we will examine how dialogue asks and answers crucial questions about our characters: What do they want? What are they trying to gain or conceal? How are they at cross purposes with one another?

Through published examples and in-class writing exercises, we will explore the ways in which dialogue is different from spoken language, how it can move a story forward, and what makes dialogue zing.

This class will be hosted using live Zoom meetings! You will be able to participate in class via Zoom videoconference from wherever you’re most comfortable. All you’ll need is a laptop or a phone! About 15 minutes before your class is scheduled to begin, you'll receive an email from your instructor with a link to join the class meeting via Zoom–no need to download anything or sign up for Zoom in advance! If you have questions about remote learning, please feel free to reach out to [email protected] for more information.

For a glimpse at how remote learning works, look no further than the deep Zoom discussion of writing and literature below:

Scholarship Information

Thanks to the excellent literary citizenship of our donors, scholarships are available for all GrubStreet classes. To apply, click the gray "APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIP" button. In order to be considered for a scholarship, you must complete your application at least one week before the start date of a class. Please await our scholarship committee's decision before registering for the class. We cannot hold spots in classes, so the sooner you apply, the better. Scholarships cannot be applied retroactively.

For more more detailed information about GrubStreet scholarships, including how to contribute to scholarship funds for other students, click here.