From Essays to Novels: Fiction Writing for the Nonfiction Writer
Calling all memoir writers and journalists who want to figure out how to navigate breaking into fiction.
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Cost: $495
Student limit: 10
Have you ever been working on a memoir, journalistic essay, or reported story and thought to yourself: Wouldn’t it be great if I could write this scene from an imagined point of view? When you’re writing nonfiction, there’s no way to gain access to periods in history or points of view that aren’t your own or substantiated by factual evidence. But when you’re writing fiction, those barriers to access are removed! But that doesn’t mean making the transition from nonfiction writing to fiction is an easy one.
This 6-week class will help you put the considerable research and storytelling skills you’ve built as a memoirist, essayist, journalist or scholar to work on your first substantial piece of fiction. Whether you’d like to dip your toe into short story writing or ultimately launch into a novel-length project, this class will give you the tools you need to translate the considerable work you’ve already done in the world of nonfiction to the exciting realm of an entirely new genre.
Instructor Rafael Frumkin has written essays, criticism and journalism for The New York Times, Granta, Washington Post, the Believer and elsewhere—and has published three notable fiction books, including New York Times Editor’s Pick Confidence and the short story collection Bugsy, which was longlisted for the 2024 Story Prize. In this class, writers will explore the powerful connection among curiosity and research, fact and fiction. You’ll learn how to source intriguing loose ends from your nonfiction and put them to work in your fiction with the help of craft exercises, scene analysis, and mapping your own research for its most gripping themes.
The first few sessions of the class will be focused on building tools to make the transition to fiction via generative craft exercises and close readings of relevant works. In the second half of the class, each writer will get the chance to share an excerpt from a work of fiction in progress (if desired), and receive feedback and encouragement from the instructor and your fellow writers.
This class is right for you if…
You’ve been at work on a nonfiction project that has raised questions for you that are only answerable in fiction
You’ve always been curious about writing fiction but aren’t sure where to start, or how your skills might apply to the process; or you’ve dabbled in fiction a bit but want more concrete direction.
You’ve always wondered how great writers like Joan Didion and James Baldwin used nonfiction to fuel their fiction (and vice versa).
After this class you’ll have…
The tools and confidence to explore your first fiction project.
A community of fellow writers to cheer you along as you pivot to a new genre.
This class takes place on Thursdays from 7pm to 8:30pm ET, starting on February 19 and ending on March 26. All Narratively Academy classes are conducted online and are accessible to students anywhere in the world. This class will be recorded and shared with all enrolled students in case you have to miss any sessions, but live attendance and participation at a majority of class sessions is required.
Instructor Bio: Rafael Frumkin is the author of three books: The Comedown, Confidence—New York Times Editor’s Pick and one of the Washington Post’s 50 Best Books of 2023—and Bugsy, which was longlisted for the 2024 Story Prize. Her current creative interests lie at the (sometimes surprising) intersection of American individualism, behavioral authoritarianism, and magical thinking. Her fiction, essays, criticism and journalism have appeared or are forthcoming in the New York Times, the Point, Granta, Guernica, the Washington Post and the Believer, among others. She’s at work on a third novel about gender, deception, and small-town cults and writes frequently for her Substack, The Cosmic Cheeto.
Registration Details: Seats in this class are limited and available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Prior to the start of your class you’ll receive an invitation to access the virtual classroom and view all class materials.
Cancellation Policy:
Full refund when canceling 7 or more days before the class start date.
50% refund when canceling less than 7 days before the class start date.
No cancellations after the class start date.
Questions? Email us at academy@narratively.com.
More: Check out all of our Narratively Academy online writing classes here.