What Makes the Story Go? (Morning)

with Rebecca Makkai

In narrative prose, it’s plot — cause and effect, development, change, suspense — that propel us forward. In less narrative prose, we have to rely on other propulsions: lyricism, innovation, surprise, rhythm, revelation, borrowed forms. And, as in every art, it’s helpful to master the traditional forms before you break the rules.

Through short readings and discussions, we’ll look at both the structure of traditional short narratives and also at the wildest formal experimentation being done today. And we’ll talk about how these forms of momentum transfer to longer projects (novels, novellas, memoirs). In this generative class, our own writing prompts will take us in both directions: writing page-turning narrative momentum on the one hand, and playing with form on the other. We’ll focus on arc, on shape, on plot or the lack thereof — asking, in every case, what moves the story along, and how to make it impossible to put down.