It is a common misconception that writing a short story is easier than crafting a longer form piece of fiction. Though they have fewer words, as a writer you have less time and space on the page to both capture the imagination of your readers and craft a journey for your characters that has a beginning, middle and end.

In this highly practical workshop with award-winning writer Stuart Evers, you will be privy to the essential writing techniques - from building tension to creating a current of events that invites intrigue - for constructing a story that has the emotional heft of a novel, as well as breathing life into characters that are authentic and full.

Regardless of your skillset or experience, under Stuart’s expert guidance, you will take the first crucial steps in short storytelling, with a key focus on idea generation, so that you will have a newfound confidence in your ability to continue crafting short stories, far beyond the course.

Course content

What makes a short story?
How to generate ideas for short stories
How to turn something from a situation into a story
Writing techniques that can be put into practice instantly
Writing exercises that allow different ideas to spark off one another
Post-class learning material that includes short story reading list

This course is for…

Writers who want to learn the fundamentals of the short story form and develop their skills through practical writing exercises
Anyone looking to build their confidence in storytelling

Tutor profile

Stuart Evers’ first book, Ten Stories About Smoking, won the London Book Award in 2011, and his collection Your Father Sends His Love was shortlisted for the 2016 Edge Hill Short Story Prize. His novel, The Blind Light, was published to much acclaim in the UK and US in 2020. His work has appeared in three editions of the Best British Short Stories, as well as Granta, The White Review, Prospect, and on Radio 4.

Course Details

Date: Wednesday 24 November 2021
Time: 6.30pm-9.30pm (GMT)

6.30pm GMT | 7.30pm CET | 10.30am PST | 1.30pm EST

This masterclass is available globally. If you are joining us from outside the United Kingdom, please use this time zone converter to check your local live streaming time.

You will be sent a link to the webinar two hrs before the start time. Please email masterclasses@theguardian.com if you have not received the access link within one hour of the scheduled start time.

All Guardian Masterclasses are fully accessible but please contact us at masterclasses@theguardian.com if you have any queries or concerns.

Full course and returns information on the Masterclasses website

Starting to write short stories: An online workshop with Stuart Evers