Students will improve their understanding of how to build a plot, create round characters, mistakes to avoid with dialogue and grammar, how setting influences their story, and how to find their voice in writing.

I am a published author pursuing my master's in creative writing with experience teaching creative writing at the university level.

Homework Offered
Assigned readings are expected to be done by the time students come to class and will be, on average, 5-10 pages each.

Each student will be required to submit work at least once during the semester, a piece of prose 3-10 pages long. They will read each fellow student’s submissions carefully, making line notes and writing a note to the author based on the guidelines provided.
2 - 4 hours per week outside of class
Assessments Offered
A letter grade will be provided to students at the end of the class.  It will be based on the following:

40% Participation
Much of the grade will depend on student contribution to the conversation each week.  Participation in class during craft discussion and workshop, as well as the depth of student's workshop notes will be taken into account.

30% Timely Workshopping (Workshop submissions and editor’s letters)

30% Final Portfolio
The final portfolio will contain:
•	1 workshop submission (original)
•	1 EDITED workshop submission
•	1 prompt writing piece from class 
Grades Offered

I will be providing all readings ahead of time.  Readings may include works by Kurt Vonnegut, Gary Shteyngart, Jhumpa Lahiri, Naomi Ragen, Anchee Min, Alisa Valdes Rodriguez, etc.