Workshop outline
In this eight-week course, participants will use visual material from the city’s archives for inspiration as they experiment with writing short fiction.
A mixture of instruction and critique sessions, participants will learn from experts and each other.
At the end of the workshop, students will have the opportunity to read their work to peers in a fun evening of Toronto-inspired creative fiction.
A complete syllabus will be available to registrants one week before the beginning of the workshop.
01
week one
Welcome and introductions
Overview of workshop
How to participate
- In class critique groups
- Discussion board
- Code of conduct
In focus: How to critique and be critiqued
In focus: Short fiction
Archive box: Week 1 inspiration
02
week two
Welcome and housekeeping
Archive box 1: Historical and archival context
In focus: Creating a setting with time and place
Breakout groups for critique
Full group discussion
Archive box: Week 2 inspiration
03
week three
Welcome and housekeeping
Archive box 2: Historical and archival context
In focus: Guest Lecture and Q&A [author]
Breakout groups for critique
Full group discussion
Archive box: Week 3 inspiration
04
week four
Welcome and housekeeping
Archive box 3: Historical and archival context
In focus: Developing characters
Breakout groups for critique
Full group discussion
Midpoint check in group discussion: course feedback and skill-building follow up Q&A
Archive box: Week 4 inspiration
05
week five
Welcome and housekeeping
Archive Box 4: Historical and archival context
In focus: Finding and writing plot
Breakout groups for critique
Full group discussion
Archive box: Week 5 inspiration
06
week six
Welcome and housekeeping
Archive box 5: Historical and archival context
In focus: Guest Author Lecture and Q&A
Breakout groups for critique
Full group discussion
Archive box: Week 6 inspiration
07
week seven
Welcome and housekeeping
Archive box 6: Historical and archival context
In focus: Archiving the Archival Image
Breakout groups for critique
Full group discussion
Planning for next week’s readings
08
week eight
An evening of student readings