{"product_id":"crafting-memorable-story-arcs-fiction-writing-workshop-online","title":"Crafting Memorable Story Arcs: An Intermediate Fiction Workshop — 6-Week Online Fiction Workshop with Thao Thai Starts Wednesday, January 13th, 2027","description":"\u003ch2\u003eCrafting Memorable Story Arcs Fiction Workshop | Jan 2027 Online\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCrafting Memorable Story Arcs Writing Workshop: An Intermediate Fiction Workshop with Thao Thai\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBegins Wednesday, January 13, 2027\u003cbr\u003eClass will meet weekly via Zoom on Wednesdays, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM ET\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e🌍 Class Times by Time Zone:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLos Angeles (PST): 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChicago (CST): 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNew York (EST): 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNow Enrolling!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAny questions about this class? Use the Chat Button to talk with us.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInstructor Thao Thai is an award-winning author of two novels, including \u003cem\u003eBanyan Moon\u003c\/em\u003e, the July 2023 Read with Jenna title and Barnes \u0026amp; Noble Discover Pick, and \u003cem\u003eThe Seekers of Deer Creek\u003c\/em\u003e, an Amazon editor's pick. Her work has been published in the \u003cem\u003eLos Angeles Review of Books\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eWIRED\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eElle\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eSouthern Living\u003c\/em\u003e, and other publications. She holds her MFA in creative writing from The Ohio State University and her MA from The University of Chicago.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho is this class for?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStories 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOver 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat are the writing goals?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eReadings\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReadings 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 \u003cem\u003eStory Genius\u003c\/em\u003e by Lisa Cron, \u003cem\u003eReading Like a Writer\u003c\/em\u003e by Francine Prose, and others.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCOURSE OUTLINE\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWeek 1: Introductions and brief seminar on storytelling arcs. Generative exercises and close readings of short stories.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWeek 2: Workshopping of 3-4 pieces. Discussions of structure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWeek 3: Workshopping of 3-4 pieces. Discussions of stakes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWeek 4: Workshopping of 3-4 pieces. Discussions of character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWeek 5: Workshopping of 3-4 pieces. Discussions of setting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWeek 6: Workshopping of 3-4 pieces. Q\u0026amp;A.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCOURSE TAKEAWAYS:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComprehensive notes on 2-3 submitted drafts from the instructor and your peers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA clear picture of your strengths and challenges as an individual writer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRevision strategies for shaping the larger story arc, character, point of view, stakes, and language\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePractice giving concrete, useful feedback on other writers' work\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReading recommendations tailored to the questions that arise in class\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConnections with a cohort of fiction writers and an open dialogue about the literary industry\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTESTIMONIALS:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThao 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e— Kathryne Squilla, The Writing Workshop, January 2026\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI 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!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e— Michele Kemper, The Writing Workshops, July 2026\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI 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!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e— Nora Etienne, The Writing Workshops, July 2026\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e— Dennis A., The Writing Workshops, October 2026\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePAYMENT OPTIONS:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTuition 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eONLINE COURSE STRUCTURE:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInstructor: Thao Thai\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBegins Wednesday, January 13, 2027\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eClass will meet weekly via Zoom on Wednesdays, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM ET\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTuition is $445 USD.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Writing Workshops Org","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67896369119480,"sku":null,"price":403.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0287\/3917\/4532\/files\/ThaoThaiHeadshot2026.png?v=1791324809","url":"https:\/\/writingworkshops.com\/en-it\/products\/crafting-memorable-story-arcs-fiction-writing-workshop-online","provider":"Writing Workshops","version":"1.0","type":"link"}