Time in Fiction: Subject, Object, Function, Principle with Rachel Lyon
Wednesdays, March 5-26
7-9pm ET (8-10pm ET on 3/12)
Craft Course
$275
$250
Because, in any narrative, events must occur in some order, consecutively, over time, we might think of time as the short story writer’s first medium. In this four-week craft course we will look at several examples of short stories that toy with time—playfully, confoundingly, philosophically, or otherwise, e.g. Lorrie Moore’s “How To Talk To Your Mother” and Justin Torres’ “Reverting to a Wild State,” which are both structured chronologically backward, and Ted Chiang’s “Story of Your Life,” in which time comes untethered from chronology, loses its linearity altogether, and becomes simultaneous. We will look, too, at supplementary essays by writers including Joan Silber and Kevin Brockmeier, which offer new ways of considering time as subject, object, function, and/or principle on the fictional page. Weekly discussions on the assigned reading will be followed by generative writing exercises, enabling students to respond to the day’s topics “in real time” and design their own fictional experiments in narrative manipulation. Please note that this is not a writing workshop, and feedback on student work will be informal if offered at all.
Course Expectations and Schedule
This is a craft course. Our craft courses analyze fiction from a craft perspective and include generative writing exercises. Class will meet once a week for a live Zoom lecture based on the assigned reading. There will also be writing prompts and discussion prompts.
Schedule
All sessions will take place on Zoom. Recordings will be available to students who can’t attend live.
Wednesday, March 5, 7-9pm ET
Wednesday, March 12, 8-10pm ET (note class time change)
Wednesday, March 19, 7-9pm ET
Wednesday, March 26, 7-9pm ET
About Rachel Lyon:
Rachel Lyon is the author of the novels Sixes (forthcoming from Zando in 2028), Fruit of the Dead (2024), and Self-Portrait with Boy (2018). Her short work has appeared in publications including One Story, The Rumpus, Electric Literature, and the illustrated short story anthology Reading at Karma. The American University of Paris’ 2024 Paris Writer in Residence, she currently teaches at Bennington College, and lives with her family in Western Massachusetts.
FAQ
When can I register for this class?
Registration will open soon and will close on Wednesday, February 26, or when the class reaches its cap.
How does the class work?
This class meets weekly for live Zoom discussions for the duration of the course. Reading and writing assignments will be distributed in Thinkific, our online learning platform. That is also where students will share responses to the assignments for feedback from their fellow students.
Is there homework?
The class will include reading assignments, writing exercises, and discussion questions.
How much time will the class take?
Live lessons run for two hours. Plan to spend about 2 hours a week on reading and writing assignments, plus however long you decide to spend on the discussion boards.
How many students are in the class?
This class is capped at 25 students.
Can I take the class on my phone?
Yes, the class can be taken on a phone, but we recommend a computer or tablet to get the most out of the experience.
Do you offer financial aid or scholarships for this class?
Yes, we have a limited number of scholarships for the class. Scholarships cover 50% of tuition. Recipients will be selected at random. You can apply for one here. The deadline to request a scholarship is Tuesday, February 18. We will notify all entrants by Tuesday, February 25. If you apply for a scholarship and no longer need it or decide not to take the class, please let us know so that we can remove your name and offer the discount to another student.
Discounts & Policies
Our online classes are designed to be safe spaces for all who participate. One Story will not tolerate hate speech, bullying, or harassment directed toward instructors or fellow students, and reserves the right to remove participants who engage in such behavior from our classes.
Patron Discount: In order to qualify for our patron discount, you must be a member of our patron circle at the time of registration. Patrons commit to annual donations and receive benefits that allow them to participate in our non-profit organization in more meaningful ways. Not all One Story subscribers or supporters are patrons. If you’d like to find out more about becoming a patron, you can do so here.
Refund Policy: Students can receive full refunds prior to one week before the class start date, and 50% refunds from in the week leading up to the class. Class payment is non-refundable on or after the class’s start date. For questions about the refund policy, or if you are unable to take the class after you have registered, please contact maribeth@one-story.com.
If you have any questions, please contact edu.support@one-story.com.