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Course Description

Summary

This Reading & Writing Fiction course focuses on the novel, and in particular on reading and writing the body, with an emphasis on femininity. We will look at both the construction of and conspicuous erasure of the femme/feminine body. We will treat gender as a construct, discussing gender normativity, ciswomanhood, transness, and other related subjects and subjectivities.

Novels are hard to write in part because they require a sustained practice but also because it is difficult to manage the broad arcs of character and plot without losing track of the line. We will try to learn from models, reading three to five books throughout the term. While reading we will also pay close attention to beginnings and endings; in other words, how to hook a reader then later stick the landing.

Accordingly in workshop we will read first chapters, alongside other work. Students are expected to have an idea for a novel-length project. You will not have an opportunity to finish it but we will do what we can in terms of plotting, character development, and workshopping particular chapters including chapter one.

Readings may include novels by Raven Leilani, Torrey Peters, Rachel Cusk, and Katie Kitamura.