Live Seminar Via Zoom Saturday, November 9th, 2024

Class will meet 12PM - 4:00PM EST

Taught by Karen E. Bender, author of two collections; Refund, which was a Finalist for the National Book Award, shortlisted for the Frank O'Connor International Story Prize, and Longlisted for the Story prize, and The New Order, which was Longlisted for the Story prize. A new collection is forthcoming. Her novels are Like Normal People and A Town of Empty Rooms. Her fiction has appeared in The New Yorker, Granta, Ploughshares, Zoetrope, The Yale Review, The Harvard Review, Story, Guernica, and others, have been reprinted in Best American Short Stories and Best American Mystery stories and won three Pushcart prizes.

First person point of view brings us into a character's perspective in a way that no other point of view can. It's a direct portal to a character's thoughts and feelings, and the most effective first person point of view creates a deep connection with the reader. First person point of view can also be flexible--there are different ways to approach it and use it.  

In this 4-hour seminar, we will look at different strategies for using first person perspectives. We will read stories and excerpts by James Joyce, Jamaica Kincaid, JD Salinger, Miranda July and Mavis Gallant, and practice different ways of writing in the first person.  

Writers will leave with several exercises to use as launchpads for future writing, as well as the ability to think more strategically about how to use first person perspective in their work.  

Note: The week of the seminar, Karen will email several PDFs of the stories we'll be discussing--you don't need to read these before the class, but can if you would like.

• Understand how first person point of view can help you create a character    
• Several exercises to use as the inspiration for future drafts.    
• Think strategically about past drafts and learn how to make your character's point of view more dynamic 
  

COURSE EXPECTATIONS: 

We'll be going over the different types of story openings in class, and then writing generative exercises to practice these methods. Students should come to class ready to write and will have opportunities to share work if they would like. They will leave the class with a variety of story openings, and an understanding of a variety of techniques a writer can use to open a story.

TESTIMONIALS:

"This seminar exceeded my expectations. I loved going through the different types of story openings that exist and then seeing clear-cut examples of each from the materials that were shared in class. Karen is a fantastic facilitator!" -Alexandra Y.

"Class was excellent and exceeded my expectations. I found Karen's approach of writing an opening that set up two questions extremely valuable. Five of five stars." -Diane K.

"I though Karen gave great input on our exercises. I would highly recommend this seminar! I learned so much." -former student

"The best part about the Exploring Strategies for Story Beginnings seminar with Karen E. Bender were her insights, warmth, generosity, intelligence and the categories for types of story beginnings she presented to us. Karen is a wonderful instructor, and I've taken all of her seminars." -former student

"The close reading of the texts was extremely valuable. Karen is a great teacher, and I though this was a great seminar on strategies for story beginnings." -former student

"I found Karen's teaching so valuable. She dives right in and I love her style. I signed up for her other seminars after I took this one. Thank you!" -former student

"In her seminars, Karen always offer such specific techniques, which has helped me deepen my understanding of craft and benefited my writing practice. Thank you!" -former student

"Karen's class taught me invaluable writing techniques that I missed because I have a JD instead of an MFA. This was so great! Thank you, Karen!" -former student

"I loved the structure of understanding various story openings and emphasis on goals for first paragraphs. This class definitely exceeded my expectations." -former student

"It was great. I was working on a rewrite, came to the realization that I needed more interiority, saw this class, jumped on it, and I've already used some of the techniques. The concepts and ideas that were coupled with good, well-paced exercises." -former student

"This class helps all levels of writers get better access to the all-important matter of characters. Highly recommend." -former student

"What a fantastic person! I liked her style, her content, and her drive for us to get the most out of 2 hours. Karen really pointed out a fantastic technique and her enthusiasm is infectious. I just wanted more time with her!" -former student

"Exceeded expectations. Lots of content, practice, plus interaction packed into Zoom." -former student

"Karen E. Bender's Strategies for Story Beginnings seminar exceeded my expectations! Karen is an excellent teacher: she is patient, explains all her materials well and provides valuable examples and feedback. I really enjoy how Karen runs her courses. This is the second of hers I've taken, and I plan to take more. In fact, I recommended Karen's classes enough after the first one I took that a friend joined me for this one. Thank you again!" -former student

ONLINE COURSE STRUCTURE:

• Instructor: Karen E. Bender
  
• Live Seminar Via Zoom on Saturday, November 9th, 2024
• 12PM - 4PM EST
• Note: no recording will be available for this class.
• Tuition is $99.

Contact us HERE if you have any questions about this seminar.

Instructor Karen E. Bender is the author of two collections; Refund, which was a Finalist for the National Book Award, shortlisted for the Frank O'Connor International Story Prize, and Longlisted for the Story prize, and The New Order, which was Longlisted for the Story prize. A new collection is forthcoming. Her novels are Like Normal People and A Town of Empty Rooms. Her fiction has appeared in The New Yorker, Granta, Ploughshares, Zoetrope, The Yale Review, The Harvard Review, Story, Guernica, and others, have been reprinted in Best American Short Stories and Best American Mystery stories and won three Pushcart prizes. Her work has been read at the Selected Shorts program at Symphony Space and on Levar Burton Reads, She has taught for many highly regarded MFA programs, including the University of Iowa, Hollins University, and Warren Wilson College and currently teaches for the MFA Programs at SUNY Stony Brook and Alma College. Visit her website here.