Masterclass: Short Stories

What is a short story? Can it really be pinned down to one entity, a set of rules? Many writers say that the short story form is the most difficult to master. You have to develop a world and character which grab the reader and hold onto them long after the story has ended. Mastering the short story requires a writer to look closely at the sentence, their choice of words and consider their placement, understanding that they are each a vital component of the whole. Nothing being wasted, the short story can concentrate all the power of a novel into a single scene, a moment, a memory.

A writer can take risks they might not be willing to take while writing a novel, and break through to new levels of craft by experimenting with the short story. The truth is that in writing there are no rules. Through short writing exercises designed to take you out of your comfort zone, tutor Vanessa Onwuemezi will help you to explore the new possibilities of the short story form, and rediscover yourself as a writer.

The Masterclass will be delivered via Zoom webinar (11:00-13:00), so you can take the session at your own pace, without the pressure of having your video or camera on. Sessions are also recorded so if you are unable to attend live, you will have access to the recording for a month afterwards.

Online: £35

Concessions: £17.50

As part of our effort to increase participation in the arts, a limited number of half-price concessions are available for this course at checkout. There are a limited number of free subsidised places for those who cannot afford the concession price.

We are committed to making our Arvon at Home programme accessible to as many people as possible.

Across all of Arvon at Home

• All sessions will have auto-generated captioning.
• During sessions we will have a text version available via screen share.
• There is a Chat facility to ask any questions.

Masterclasses and Online Writing Day

• A recording of the Masterclass will be available to view for one month after it is aired live.
• There is a Chat and Q & A facility to ask any questions.
• Zoom webinar format (your video and audio will remain off throughout, & your name will not be visible to other participants so it is a ‘relaxed’ event).

How I Write

• There is a chat and Q&A facility to ask any questions.
• Zoom webinar format (your video and audio will remain off throughout, & your name will not be visible to other participants so it is a ‘relaxed’ event).

Online Writing Weeks / Weekends

• Courses have much smaller groups than Masterclasses and How I Write events, and are also more interactive with your fellow course participants and tutors, so cameras and audio are usually on (though both are completely optional). If you would prefer your camera and audio to be off, it would be helpful to let your course host know this in advance.

Subject to funding/permissions (please contact us for more details)

• Recording of Writing Weeks and Weekends.
• Downloadable transcripts.
• BSL interpretation.
• Live captioning.

If you have any access issues that we have not covered here, please contact us on access@arvon.org

See here for more access information.