Story Opening Overhaul

Class Description

Story openings have a big job—they entice your reader to continue reading. But what’s the best way to get a reader's attention? Dialogue? Backstory? A knock-down argument? For this workshop, bring a story opening you're working with, and get ready to revamp it—again and again—creating different effects each time. We’ll examine various story openings across genres by authors like Paolo Bacigalupi, Frances Hodgson Burnett, Kacen Callender, Raymond Carver, Sandra Cisneros, Tessa Dare, Michael Lawrence, Toni Morrison, M. L. Stedman, and E. B. White to understand how different styles can change a piece. You’ll see how your reimagined intros can alter tone, POV, pace, and more. Participants who prefer to start with a new piece rather than one of their existing story openings will be given a prompt a few days prior to class.

Class Format

This class will take place using Zoom videoconferencing. 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!

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.