Making the Jump from Nonfiction to Fiction
Calling all memoir writers and journalists who want to figure out how to navigate breaking into fiction.
Paid Narratively Academy members get 20% off all classes, including this one. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to joinâor to get the paid member promo code if you already are a member.
Cost: $140
Student limit: 15
Are you a journalist, essayist or memoirist looking to dive into writing fiction? Do you have a notebook full of story ideas but youâre not sure where to start? A blank document with a novel title that entices you even as it intimidates you? If so, youâre not alone! The skills youâve developed as a nonfiction writer absolutely can be applied to short stories, novels and more. This 3-hour seminar on making the jump from writing nonfiction to fiction may be the very thing you need to get your creative gears turning.
Instructor Rafael Frumkin has written essays, criticism and journalism in The New York Times, Granta, Washington Post, the Believer and elsewhereâand has published three notable fiction books, including New York Times Editorâs Pick Confidence and the short story collection Bugsy, which was longlisted for the 2024 Story Prize.
In this seminar, writers will explore the powerful connection among curiosity, research and fiction. Youâll learn how to source intriguing loose ends and twisty passageways 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. By the end of the seminar, youâll leave with a plan for structuring and approaching your first work of fiction, whether itâs a short story, novel or something else, as well as a set of inquiries and ideas you can continue to apply to your burgeoning fiction writing practice.
This class is right for you ifâŠ
Youâre a nonfiction writer who dove headlong into a tantalizing research tangent that youâve realized youâd like to explore in a novel someday.
Youâve always been curious about writing fiction but arenât sure where to start, or how your skills might apply to the process; or youâve dabbled in fiction a bit but want more concrete direction.
Youâre fascinated by crossovers between the realms of fiction and nonfiction, both intentional (Asymmetry, Stone Butch Blues) and not-so-intentional (A Million Little Pieces, the âcareerâ of J.T. LeRoy)
After this class youâll haveâŠ
The tools and confidence to dive into fiction writing with vigor.
This seminar takes place on Tuesday, November 18 from 6pm to 9pm ET. 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, but live attendance and participation is strongly encouraged.
Instructor Bio: Rafael Frumkin is the author of three books: The Comedown, ConfidenceâNew York Times Editorâs Pick and one of the Washington Postâs 50 Best Books of 2023âand 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. Sheâs 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 youâll 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.
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