Class Description
Conflict is the heart of any successful novel. Most writers are conflict averse, but that’s a much bigger problem if you never allow your characters to face their demons and get into a good fight. Through craft discussions, the examination of published work, and writing exercises, you will learn how to choose obstacles for your characters that are mirrors to their flaws and fears—conflict that will haunt them physically, intellectually, and emotionally and haunt your reader as well. By the end of this seminar, you will know how to push your characters into action and confrontation, even if they are themselves passive or repressed. Bring your laptops or notebooks and a digital or printed copy of your novel-in-progress close at hand for reference. Part of a monthly series of 10 one-day classes for novelists at the beginning or more advanced stages of their manuscripts.
Part of GrubStreet's Novel Essentials Series, led by Michelle Hoover and dedicated to exploring the core elements of novel writing. Classes include:
- The Novel Series: Character Lab
- The Novel Series: The Point of View Puzzle
- The Novel Series: Finding Your Direction from the First Pages
- The Novel Series: Conflict for the Conflict Averse
- The Novel Series: Dynamic Scenes and Chapters
- The Novel Series: Subtext, Setting, & Suspense
- The Novel Series: How to Hold Up Your Middle & Find Your Ending
- The Novel Series: Taming Time: Pacing, Compression, and Slowing Down
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 detailed information about GrubStreet scholarships, including how to contribute to scholarship funds for other students, click here.
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!
Zoom Participation:
Students are not required to turn their camera on, but are encouraged to participate any way they feel comfortable through functions such as the live chat, emoji reactions, and unmuting the microphone. Learn more about using Zoom here.
Zoom Accessibility:
We ask that instructors enable closed captioning and send a transcript of the session after class. You can also enable closed captioning at any time during the meeting. If your instructor forgets to send the transcript, just send ’em an email!