Begins Wednesday, August 6th, 2025

Class will meet weekly via Zoom for 2 Hours on Wednesdays at 7PM - 9PM Central

Any questions about this class? Use the Chat Button (lower left) to talk with us. 

Instructor Jaime deBlanc holds an M.A. in creative writing from the University of Texas at Austin. Her short fiction has been published in Catapult, Juked, and Post Road, and she has received a MacDowell Fellowship and a Lighthouse Works Fellowship. Her debut novel, After Image, was published by Thomas & Mercer in 2024, and her second novel, The Silver Cord, is forthcoming in 2026. She lives in Austin, TX, where she coaches fiction and memoir writers.

Learn more about Jaime in our Meet the Teaching Artist series.

In this lively and engaging workshop, we’ll examine how magic, fairy tales, and myths provide the structural underpinnings for stories that grip the imagination.

We’ll then explore how modern writers engage with––and subvert––these classic structures to tell electrifying new narratives, and how you can use fantastical elements to investigate deeper territory in your fiction.

Over the course of the class, you’ll delve into works of magical realism by Toni Morrison, Téa Obreht, Karen Russell, Octavio Paz, and more.

Each writer will also complete and submit a magical realist short story and receive supportive, insightful feedback on how to strengthen it in revision.

During the class, we’ll use writing prompts involving mythic characters, magical objects, and fractured fairy tales to spark your imagination.

You’ll then develop and complete your own magical realist short story, guided by the structures and strategies Jaime presents in class.

Each class includes in-depth instruction, thoughtful story discussion, and an inspiring writing prompt.

Reading will include: 

• Ken Liu’s “Paper Tigers”
• Octavio Paz’s “My Life With the Wave”
• Carmen Maria Machado, “The Husband Stitch”
• Aimee Bender’s “The Rememberer”
• Carol Ann Duffy, “Little Red Cap”
• Alberto Rios, “When There Were Ghosts”
• My Mother’s Gifts by Judith Claire Mitchell
• Beloved, by Toni Morrison (excerpt)
• Swamplandia, by Karen Russell (excerpt)
• The Tiger’s Wife, by Tea Obreht (excerpt)

COURSE OUTLINE: 

Week One: Exploring the various definitions of magical realism; Symbols and signs; archetypes and elementals; Finding the beginning to your own magical realist short story.

Week Two: Ghosts and animals; Magic objects; Incorporating voice and authenticity into your own story.

Week Three: Classic myth structures; Fractured fairy tales; Learning to develop rising conflict in your own story.

Week Four: Working with fables; Transmuting reality; Understanding how to resolve your own story.

End of class: Students submit completed stories to instructor and receive feedback.

COURSE TAKEAWAYS: 

Writers will leave this class with:

• A greater understanding of the structures, symbols, and settings of fairy tales and myths.
• Increased confidence in exploring magical realist territory in their own writing.
• Four original story beginnings and one completed magical realist short story.
• Thoughtful, supportive feedback from the instructor on their completed short story

TESTIMONIALS:

“Jaime’s guidance and teaching immediately put me at ease and allowed me to take risks to write about things I wanted to write about but had been afraid to try.” –Anna Stewart

“This was the BEST workshop! I had an amazing time with my digital cohorts. Everyone brought rich ideas, and it was so engaging.” –Jessica Bell

“I got so much inspiration out of this workshop. I am seeing magical objects, mythical themes, and even fairy godmothers all over the place in my writing now.” –Sarah Orman

“Jaime is an amazing teacher! She creates such a welcoming setting and does a great job at facilitating positive, helpful discussion in the group.” –Ali Putnam

ONLINE COURSE STRUCTURE:

This class meets weekly via Zoom. Come prepared for a super fun class with live interaction on Zoom each week and plenty of writing, reading, and talking.

PAYMENT OPTIONS:

• Instructor: Jaime deBlanc
• Begins Wednesday, August 6th, 2025
• Class will meet weekly via Zoom for 2 Hours on Wednesdays at 7PM - 9PM Central
• Tuition is $299.