Creative Writing: Long-form Fantasy & Science Fiction

Course Description:

In this course, students will learn how to shape their ideas for exciting fantasy and sci-fi stories into the beginnings of a first draft in a 1-on-1 setting. The course aims to teach students how to flesh out a story idea into a structured outline with compelling characters and detailed world-building in preparation for beginning the fabled first draft. While students are encouraged to begin the class with some ideas for topics they would like to write about, the course will guide them through the brainstorming process and into starting their first draft.

Class time focuses on developing students’ ideas into tangible narratives with developed characters, exciting settings, compelling plot-lines, and detailed lore. The overall goal of the program is to introduce the student to the brainstorming, outlining, and drafting processes and encourage them to overcome anxiety and perfectionism to approach a first draft with excitement and curiosity. Students will end the class with a full outline and the start of a draft.