Begins Wednesday, June 3, 2026
Class will meet weekly via Zoom on Wednesdays, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM ET

Note: If you can't attend live, this class will be recorded. 

🌍 Class Times by Time Zone: Los Angeles (PDT): 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM / Chicago (CDT): 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM / New York (EDT): 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM / London (BST): 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM / Berlin (CEST): 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

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

Instructor Arielle Burgdorf is a UK-based writer and literary translator from French. They are the author of the novel Prétend (End of the Line Press, 2024) and the UK edition Jeanne (Moist Books, 2025). Their fiction, reviews, and translations have been published in Lambda Literary, Electric Literature, Worms Magazine, Amsterdam Review, Full Stop, and elsewhere.

Who is this class for?

This online writing workshop is for fiction writers interested in exploring how travel can enrich and deepen their stories. Whether you are an avid traveler or someone who hasn't had the chance to travel extensively, this course welcomes you. Travel in this workshop is about cultivating an open mindset to the world around you. It is open to all levels.

What to expect:

Whether real or imagined, travel enriches our lives and expands our horizons. From international voyages to bus rides into an unknown part of town, travel is a valuable form of discovery and growth. In literary fiction, travel can serve as a catalyst for self-discovery, romance, escape, or transformation for the protagonist. Landscapes can mirror characters' emotions and give us clues about where the story is headed.

In this generative six-week online writing workshop, students will explore how to incorporate travel narratives into fiction. Through weekly Zoom sessions, assigned readings, and guided writing exercises, the class will examine how to become more observant travelers, how to choose which travels to fictionalize, and how travel narratives can add depth to characters. Students will also learn how to write about other cultures in a respectful way and how to use research tools to write about places not yet visited.

Instructor Arielle Burgdorf brings a unique international perspective to this creative writing course, drawing on their experience as a novelist and literary translator from French. Students will read and discuss excerpts from acclaimed contemporary novels that use travel as a narrative engine, then apply those craft techniques to their own fiction. Live instructor feedback and peer workshop sessions will help students strengthen their travel narratives throughout the course. Your literary adventure awaits!

What are the writing goals?

In this course, students will generate 1–2 fictional travel narratives of approximately 10 pages each, based on their personal experiences with travel. These narratives can be part of an existing novel in progress or the beginning of something entirely new. Students will receive live instructor feedback when sharing their work, along with opportunities for peer feedback. Feedback will focus on highlighting each student's strengths and offering suggestions for possible areas of revision, with full agency remaining with the writer.

Readings

Readings may include excerpts from: Berlin by Bea Setton, Strega by Johanne Lykke Holm, Lost Children Archive by Valeria Luiselli, Sonora by Hannah Lilith Assadi, and Crashing America by Katia Noyes.

COURSE OUTLINE

Week 1: Introduction to Travel Narratives in Fiction

Week 2: Choosing Travels to Fictionalize 

Week 3: A Sense of Place — Capturing Environment on the Page

Week 4: On the Road: Roadtrip Fictions

Week 5: Using Travel Narratives for Character Development 

Week 6: Unwinding the Journey — Alternative and Experimental Forms

COURSE TAKEAWAYS:

• Craft skills in describing new environments with an emphasis on engaging the five senses
• An understanding of traditional travel narratives in literary fiction and strategies for writing through or against these conventions
• Practice editing and revising travel narratives for clarity, depth, and impact
• 1–2 fictional travel narratives of approximately 10 pages each, plus a brainstormed list of additional travel narratives to pursue after the course
• Dedicated time to share work as a group, give and receive constructive feedback, and build community with fellow fiction writers

TESTIMONIALS

"Arielle ensured that they created a relationship with the students in class, taking time to remember names, anecdotes, and details about all of us. It really encouraged me to participate and get to know my classmates. They are an amazing instructor and I wish we had more time together!" -former student

"Arielle Burgdorf was one of the best instructors I have had so far at UCSC." -former student

"Arielle's section was honestly one of the best I've had. They were extremely kind and created an environment which made me feel comfortable enough to participate in even though I tend to have a difficult time speaking in public. Arielle makes sure that all students understand the subjects discussed in lecture before moving on to the next subject, and their instruction was clear and creative as they often utilized activities relating to poetry. I really appreciate that they would send out weekly emails regarding the assignments due as it kept me on track and addressed concerns that I had at times." -former student

"Arielle was great, I really enjoyed the writing exercises that we did, they were very creative." -former student