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  • Seminar
  • Boston Neighborhoods: Zoom
  • Adult (18+)

WDtS Mattapan: The B-Story Strikes Back

No Longer Enrolling

  • $0.00 Non-Member
  • $0.00 Member

Class Description

This class is free and you do not need to pay or apply for a scholarship. Instead, to join this class fill out this form. DO NOT use any of the other buttons or links to apply to this class.

The A-Story is typically the physical events we see—falling in love, slaying the dragon, stealing a car—which can be summarized with, “This is the event that happens. And then this is the event that happens next.” The B-Story, though almost undefinable because of the scope it can adopt, involves the car thief’s relationship with the law, or the dragon slayer’s personal history with dragons, and can be summarized as, “This is why this event happens. And this is why this event happens next.”

The friendship between Frodo and Samwise is the B-Story which made destroying the ring possible. Familial drama is the B-Story which drove Romeo and Juliet so relentlessly into each other’s arms. Back by popular demand, The B-Story Strikes Back, is a repeat of the 2021 Spring online drop-in course where we’ll explore utilization of the B-Story as a way of building the internality of a character, what purposes it serves, how it works with the external A-Story, and how it is similar to and different from subplots.

As part of GrubStreet's Write Down the Street community program, writers based near the Egleston or Mattapan Branches of the Boston Public Library can take this drop-in class.

Who Should Register?

Write Down the Street has a special focus on making the creative writing workshop more accessible to those who face challenges due to cost, language skills, lack of access to transportation, and other barriers. We believe that all voices must be spotlighted with the range and fullness they deserve.

These programs are offered tuition-free thanks to the support of generous donors who are committed to our mission of ensuring all voices are heard.

About GrubStreet Remote Classes

GrubStreet will be hosting all of our classes remotely from now through the end of the summer. We’ve decided as a staff that the best thing we can do for our community is to follow the advice of public health experts, and participate in the social distancing that’s recommended to help slow the spread of disease. 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! You’ll receive an email from your instructor on the day your class is scheduled 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:

Scholarships Format/Location

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.