{"product_id":"three-act-structure-short-fiction-workshop-online-september-2026","title":"Using and Abusing the Three-Act Structure in Short Fiction: 8-Week Fiction Workshop with Andreas Trolf (Zoom) starts on Wednesday, September 16, 2026","description":"\u003ch2 class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUsing and Abusing the Three-Act Structure in Short Fiction with Andreas Trolf\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-pre-wrap leading-[1.7]\"\u003eBegins Wednesday, September 16, 2026\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-pre-wrap leading-[1.7]\"\u003eClass will meet weekly via Zoom on Wednesdays, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eNow Enrolling! Any questions about this class? Use the Chat Button to talk with us.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInstructor Bio\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eInstructor Andreas Trolf is a fiction and television writer living in New York. He is the co-creator and writer of the Emmy-nominated Nickelodeon series \u003cem\u003eSanjay and Craig\u003c\/em\u003e, as well as the showrunner, producer, and director of the Adult Swim series \u003cem\u003eTigtone\u003c\/em\u003e. His work has also appeared in \u003cem\u003eThe Cincinnati Review\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eChicago Quarterly Review\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eThe Florida Review\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eJoyland\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eMcSweeney's Internet Tendency\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eWired\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eVice\u003c\/em\u003e, and many other places, as well as collected in the anthology \u003cem\u003eLife and Limb\u003c\/em\u003e (Soft Skull Press). He is a graduate of New York University.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho is this class for?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThis online fiction workshop is for writers of short fiction who want a working understanding of the three-act structure commonly found in screenplays and television scripts — and how to apply it, push against it, or subvert it in their own short stories. Open to Intermediate and Advanced writers. Some prior experience drafting short fiction is recommended.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat to expect:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThis 8-week online writing class is built in two complementary movements. The first weeks focus on building a shared structural vocabulary — three-act terms, dramatic beats, and the difference between applying and subverting expectation — through close reading of contemporary short stories and screenplays. The second half of the course turns that vocabulary on student work, with each writer's story workshopped by the full class and revised based on what surfaces in discussion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eYou'll read short fiction by George Saunders, Ottessa Moshfegh, and Ann Beattie alongside feature screenplays from writers working at the highest level of structural craft, and use those readings as a craft lens for evaluating your own drafts. Workshop weeks include written feedback from Andreas in addition to peer discussion, and revision is built into the second half of the course rather than left as an afterthought. The conversation is specifically structural — how a story creates expectations, where it confirms them, and where (and why) it might choose to break them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eClass meetings are live on Zoom, and sessions will be recorded for students who can't attend in real time. The cap of 10 writers keeps workshop time substantial; the minimum of 5 keeps the conversation diverse. By the end of the creative writing course, you'll have a workshopped story, a revised draft, and a craft framework you can return to long after the class ends.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat are the writing goals?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eIn this course, students will submit one piece of short fiction to be workshopped by the full class, then revise that work and submit an updated draft for evaluation against the structural questions raised in workshop. Each student receives written feedback from the instructor on their submitted work, alongside live verbal feedback during workshop sessions. By the end of the course, every writer will have a complete revised story that demonstrates a deliberate engagement with — or intentional disregard of — three-act structure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReadings may include excerpts from:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eGeorge Saunders, \"The Wavemaker Falters\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eOttessa Moshfegh, \"Slumming\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eAnn Beattie, \"Where You'll Find Me\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003ePhil Johnston, \u003cem\u003eWreck-It Ralph\u003c\/em\u003e (screenplay)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eBong Joon-ho, \u003cem\u003eParasite\u003c\/em\u003e (screenplay)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCOURSE OUTLINE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeek 1: Introduction to Three-Act Structure\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e — Discussion of \u003cem\u003eWreck-It Ralph\u003c\/em\u003e (read prior to first class). Homework: short stories by Beattie, Saunders, and Moshfegh.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeek 2: Structure in Short Fiction\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e — Discussion of the Beattie, Saunders, and Moshfegh stories. How is structure utilized, or purposely not utilized, in each? Homework: \u003cem\u003eParasite\u003c\/em\u003e screenplay.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeek 3: From Screenplay to Short Story\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e — Discussion of \u003cem\u003eParasite\u003c\/em\u003e, comparison to \u003cem\u003eWreck-It Ralph\u003c\/em\u003e, and how feature-length structural moves translate (or don't) to the short form. Homework: read first 2–3 pieces of student work and prepare workshop notes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeek 4: First Workshop \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e— In-class workshop of the first cohort of student stories. Homework: read the next 2–3 student pieces; workshopped writers begin their revised drafts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeek 5: Second Workshop\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e — In-class workshop of the second cohort. Homework: final group of student work; workshopped writers begin revisions. Week 4 writers turn in revised drafts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeek 6: Third Workshop \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e— In-class workshop of the final cohort. Homework: workshopped writers begin revisions. Week 5 writers turn in revised drafts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeek 7: Structure, Expectation, and Choice\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e — Discussion of key act-structure principles, reader expectations, and how each writer chose to use or resist them in their submitted work. Week 6 writers turn in revised drafts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeek 8: Final Workshop: Structure, Subversion, and the Revised Story\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e — Final review and discussion of revised student work, with focus on the structural decisions each writer made between draft and revision.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCOURSE TAKEAWAYS:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eA working knowledge of the three-act structure used in film and television writing, plus a survey of how it operates in contemporary literary fiction\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eA clear understanding of how dramatic structure creates reader expectation — and how those expectations can be intentionally subverted\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eOne complete short story workshopped by the full cohort and revised based on instructor and peer feedback\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eWritten feedback from the instructor on your submitted work, plus live verbal feedback during workshop\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eA craft framework for deciding when to employ three-act structure and when to deliberately disregard it\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eA vocabulary for talking about structure — your own and other writers' — that extends beyond this course\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePAYMENT OPTIONS:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eTuition is $545 USD. You can pay for the course in full or use Shop Pay or Affirm to pay over time with equal Monthly Payments. Both options are available at checkout.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eONLINE COURSE STRUCTURE:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eInstructor: Andreas Trolf\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eBegins Wednesday, September 16, 2026\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eClass will meet weekly via Zoom on Wednesdays, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eSessions will be recorded for students who cannot attend live\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eTuition is $545 USD.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Writing Workshops Org","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48306536284408,"sku":null,"price":769.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0287\/3917\/4532\/files\/AndreasTrolfHeadshot2026.png?v=1777662318","url":"https:\/\/writingworkshops.com\/en-au\/products\/three-act-structure-short-fiction-workshop-online-september-2026","provider":"Writing Workshops","version":"1.0","type":"link"}