1-Day Fiction Master Class: Using Research as Inspiration

Research is one of the most inscrutable aspects of craft: we see its residue on the page, but we rarely access the wide range of sources a writer has consulted on her way to a story. How does one commence research for a novel or story? What kinds of sources--historical, oral, audiovisual--are most emotionally stirring for the writer? And how much research does one need to do anyway? In this master class, we'll look at the ways research can be both a source of inspiration and a way of imparting an extra dose of "reality" to our fictional narratives.

COURSE TAKEAWAYS:

- A deeper understanding of how to prioritize quality of research over sheer volume

- A discussion of overlooked or undervalued sources of research material

- Thinking through the ethics of research -- and of "using" material and stories that aren't your own

- Considering the many ways research is deployed in a work of fiction