Story Structure Basics and How to Use Them with Beth Trembley Starting October 29, 2023
Learn to develop nonfiction and fiction stories
At A Glance
When: For 4 Weeks Starting Sunday October 29, 2023 at 12PM to 2PM Eastern
Where: Online via Zoom and in the SAW Mighty Network
Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Class size: Maximum 16
Cost: $329
Materials: There are no specific art-making materials required. This course is designed to use whatever you have at hand. To facilitate discussion and for the best learning, all students are asked to read two graphic novels before the class start date and have those books available for reference during the course. The books are "Snap Dragon" by Kat Leyh and "Stitches" by David Small.
Want to undertand more about story structure so you can shape your comics with intention? Beth Trembley will guide you into this exploration of story, scene, narration, and character arc for both fiction and nonfiction. By the end of the weeks you will have a better understanding of how these things help you finish your work and delight your readers!
Students will participate in discussion around two common texts, "Snap Dragon" by Kat Leyh and "Stiches" by David Small. To get the most out of this course, students should read both before the first meeting and have them at hand for exercises and analysis.
All essential work will be completed during the live class, including instructor feedback, and Q&A. Beth will give you lots of additional inspiration for optional exercises you can do during the week! An additional Mighty Network component is included for students to engage in asynchronous conversation and sharing of ideas and experiments.
Four live 2-hour sessions
Starting October 29, 2023.
Calls will include live instruction, time to work on exercises, and feedback on work.
Class video, audio, chat, and transcripts will be saved and archived for the duration of the course and for 4 week afterwards.
Instructor Bio:
Elizabeth Trembley, Ph.D, is the creator of the graphic memoir, Look Again (Street Noise Books, 2022). She is also a Lambda Literary Award-winning mystery novelist and writing teacher of more than three decades.
Beth views her role as helping students increase the power of their stories. She believes that people often psych themselves out wondering "who would ever want to read this?" about their work. She knows that if you really want to be read by others, you need to understand how to shape a story to showcase your authentic insights. Knowing the basics helps you innovate, and writing to be read by others will help you create a more diverse and just world.
Beth trained in literature and in innovation and creativity in places as diverse as the University of Chicago and Disney University. Through her classes, hundreds of students have drafted their first novels, explored digital storytelling, crafted personal essays, and reflected on their lives through memoir, both in prose and in comics. You can learn more about her at https://elizabethtrembley.com
Senior Instructor