This class gives students an opportunity to practice writing, share their stories and build their ideas together. The sessions follow the same weekly format where Kayla Stierwalt provides an exercise as a starting point, students brainstorm and write, share their stories and receive feedback and continue the stories. Through their own and peer feedback, students see the stories' and writers' strengths and apply the tips to their own stories. Guided questions get the students to engage their own ideas and develop them further. 
Writing and sharing can be intimidating, and this class gives students a place to boost their confidence. I provide most the feedback through discussion on video, and students engage with each other on video, the white board and the chat. I also chat with students privately when they do not want to share with the group. 

Weekly Exercises


Week of March 27-April 2
Characters in motion: Your character goes on a road trip or travels with someone, and a conflict arises. Consider how their travel destination might mirror their conflict resolution destination. Use the small space and prolonged time to heighten the tension. 

Countdown: Give your character a countdown or deadline. Use that limit to show what's at stake for your character. Consider what your character has to do before the countdown ends and how each step can add to the tension as the time shrinks. 

Week of April 3-9
Surprise: An unexplained object appears in your character's yard. Describe the object and its possible origins. Use your character's response to shape the story's direction. 

Surprise 2: Your character receives an anonymous gift. Describe the gift and your character's reaction. Consider if your character suspects anyone or investigates. How might this change the character's friendship dynamic? 

Week of April 10-16
Running of Empty: Your character runs out of a resource. Describe how they finished the resource and what the stakes are without it. Use this urgency to propel your story forward. 

Unique Object: Your character discovers a unique artifact. Describe the object and how your character discovers it. Use the object to give the story its direction and connect it to another character, place or mission. 

Week of April 17-23
Visitor Anticipation: An important visitor comes to your character's town or home. Focus on how they anticipate the arrival. Consider what the visitors' presence might bring in terms of news, conflict, etc.