PLEASE NOTE: You should receive a confirmation email upon registering for the course from both Club Express and the Online Classes Coordinator. If you do not receive either email, please reach out to the Online Classes Coordinator immediately so you do not miss out on information for your class.
In four interactive 90-minute sessions, you’ll cover everything from plot creation and character development to the art of editing and rewriting. By the end of the course, you’ll have the tools necessary to confidently take your storytelling skills to the next level.
Why Take This Course?
By enrolling in Long Story Short, you’ll gain:
1. A deeper understanding of the fundamental principles of storytelling.
2. Practical skills to outline, write, and edit short stories effectively.
3. Techniques to craft authentic, multi-dimensional characters.
4. Insights into recognizing and avoiding common literary tropes and stereotypes.
5. Strategies for connecting emotionally with readers through powerful scenes.
6. Confidence in choosing the right narrative structure for your story.
7. A clear grasp of how to balance creativity with the technical aspects of writing.
8. Knowledge of industry best practices for editing and rewriting.
9. Inspiration and encouragement to explore new storytelling possibilities.
10. The opportunity to join a supportive community of fellow writers.
What Makes This Class Different?
This class, Long Story Short: The Fundamentals of Crafting a Short Story, offers a unique and transformative approach to storytelling, guided by award-winning author Derek Tyler Attico.
Unlike other writing classes, this course doesn’t just focus on technical writing skills—it immerses students in the art of storytelling itself, helping them understand how to captivate readers, evoke emotion, and craft narratives that linger long after the final sentence. What sets this class apart is its focus on the intricacies of short story writing, from creating authentic characters and dynamic plots to mastering the art of editing and rewriting. Students will leave with not only a stronger grasp of storytelling fundamentals but also
the inspiration and confidence to write stories that stand out in a crowded literary landscape.
Instructor Bio: Derek Tyler Attico
Derek Tyler Attico is an award-winning speculative fiction author, essayist, screenwriter, and role-playing game designer with a deep passion for storytelling. A series of remarkable firsts mark his creative journey: his first screenplay earned the Excellence in Playwriting Award from the Dramatist Guild of America; his debut short story is the award-winning Alpha and Omega, featured in the Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Anthology; and his bestselling debut novel, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine – The Autobiography of Benjamin Sisko, was nominated for a prestigious Scribe Award. These milestones exemplify Derek’s ability to create compelling narratives that resonate with readers and audiences alike. Derek is also the senior instructor for the Dublin Tasq-Art Academy, where he teaches the fundamentals of storytelling for sequential art.
All Pennwriters Courses are conducted in a “live” presentation format utilizing the Zoom platform. If a conflict arises based on the required meeting times, please contact the instructor and Online Courses Coordinator to find a possible solution. ALL sessions will be recorded and available to registrants.