Crafting Memorable Story Arcs: An Intermediate Fiction Workshop — 6-Week Online Fiction Workshop with Thao Thai Starts Wednesday, January 13th, 2027

Crafting Memorable Story Arcs Fiction Workshop | Jan 2027 Online

Crafting Memorable Story Arcs Writing Workshop: An Intermediate Fiction Workshop with Thao Thai

Begins Wednesday, January 13, 2027
Class will meet weekly via Zoom on Wednesdays, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM ET

🌍 Class Times by Time Zone:

• Los Angeles (PST): 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
• Chicago (CST): 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
• New York (EST): 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Now Enrolling!

Any questions about this class? Use the Chat Button to talk with us.

Instructor Thao Thai is an award-winning author of two novels, including Banyan Moon, the July 2023 Read with Jenna title and Barnes & Noble Discover Pick, and The Seekers of Deer Creek, an Amazon editor's pick. Her work has been published in the Los Angeles Review of Books, WIRED, Elle, Southern Living, and other publications. She holds her MFA in creative writing from The Ohio State University and her MA from The University of Chicago.

Who is this class for?

This intermediate fiction workshop is for writers who are at work on a piece of fiction and want to receive feedback from peers and offer their own. We will share work and contribute meaningfully to discussions about each other's writing. While there may be short seminars on craft topics, this is a participatory session meant to deeply engage fiction writers in the elements of storytelling.

What to expect:

Stories can be slippery things. They require a balance of several elements at once, and as writers we can get lost in the details, missing the larger picture because of our focus on mechanics. Sharing your work with peers in a live online writing class gives you a new perspective on your own pages, revealing places that deserve more exploration.

Over six weeks, we'll study the formal aspects of storytelling through close readings and discussions of one another's work. We'll look at the larger story arc of each piece, as well as specifics of character, point of view, stakes, language, and much more. Each workshop session is designed to help the writer achieve their individual goals and meet them where they are. The tone will be encouraging yet rigorous, centered on concrete writing feedback that will guide you toward a productive revision.

In this creative writing workshop, we all work in service of each other. Our shared goal is to create a space that allows for thoughtful dialogue, pushing each of us to a higher level of craft. We will ask hard questions, celebrate victories, and continue to expand our definition of what storytelling can do. Depending on the topics that arise in discussion, we may add craft readings and short seminars along the way. You'll leave with a clear understanding of your strengths and challenges as an individual writer, new connections with other fiction writers, and a wider view of storytelling and the literary industry as a whole.

What are the writing goals?

In this course, students will share 2-3 samples of work of up to 15 double-spaced pages each. You are welcome to submit the same piece with revisions or new samples, and these can be full stories or excerpts from longer pieces. Each student will receive comprehensive written and verbal feedback on every submitted draft from the instructor and peers in a workshop format, along with revision tips and reading recommendations.

Readings

Readings may include short stories such as "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson, "The Wind" by Lauren Groff, "Interpreter of Maladies" by Jhumpa Lahiri, "The Lady with the Little Dog" by Anton Chekhov, and others. We will also look at excerpts from craft books such as Story Genius by Lisa Cron, Reading Like a Writer by Francine Prose, and others.

COURSE OUTLINE

Week 1: Introductions and brief seminar on storytelling arcs. Generative exercises and close readings of short stories.

Week 2: Workshopping of 3-4 pieces. Discussions of structure.

Week 3: Workshopping of 3-4 pieces. Discussions of stakes.

Week 4: Workshopping of 3-4 pieces. Discussions of character.

Week 5: Workshopping of 3-4 pieces. Discussions of setting.

Week 6: Workshopping of 3-4 pieces. Q&A.

COURSE TAKEAWAYS:

• Comprehensive notes on 2-3 submitted drafts from the instructor and your peers
• A clear picture of your strengths and challenges as an individual writer
• Revision strategies for shaping the larger story arc, character, point of view, stakes, and language
• Practice giving concrete, useful feedback on other writers' work
• Reading recommendations tailored to the questions that arise in class
• Connections with a cohort of fiction writers and an open dialogue about the literary industry

TESTIMONIALS:

Thao Thai is a wonderful teacher. I took her class, Limbs and Longing, and left every session inspired and energized to write. The combination of close readings and deep dive discussions on craft, helped me to look at writing intimate scenes with fresh insight. Especially valuable was the way Thao visually mapped out the action and emotional arcs of excerpted scenes. She approached the workshopping of student pieces with a sharp eye, and an encouraging warmth. I would highly recommend any of her classes.

— Kathryne Squilla, The Writing Workshop, January 2026

I would highly recommend Thao's class to any writer. The feedback she gave on my essay was great! The grace and charm of her teaching style were so helpful to me as a writer, and I saw that reflected in each student as she gave feedback. Thao is a gifted teacher. I hope to work with her again!

— Michele Kemper, The Writing Workshops, July 2026

I walked away from this class with a newfound knowledge of how to shape and choreograph intimate scenes. The lectures and the readings were thought-provoking and provided tangible writing and craft advice. I had ideas of intimate scenes brewing in my mind, but I had been hesitant to explore these ideas. This class helped me embrace my curiosity and unlock the role I wanted intimate scenes to play in my writing to develop characters and plot. The workshops were a supportive and constructive setting guided by your thoughtful facilitation. This class and subject matter is certainly one that can be a class and workshop lasting even more than 4 weeks!

— Nora Etienne, The Writing Workshops, July 2026

This program oriented me to an aspect of creative writing. As a journalist, I know the importance of the lede sentence. I have a greater appreciation of what goes into the opening chapter. Also, it was helpful to read the developing work of other writers.

— Dennis A., The Writing Workshops, October 2026

PAYMENT OPTIONS:

Tuition is $445 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.

ONLINE COURSE STRUCTURE:

• Instructor: Thao Thai
• Begins Wednesday, January 13, 2027
• Class will meet weekly via Zoom on Wednesdays, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM ET
• Tuition is $445 USD.