Imitation Isn't Just Flattery: Short-Story Imitation
Workshop Leader: Kevin Foskin, kevin@loma.colostate.edu
Enrollment Limit: 25
There is a long-standing tradition in the teaching of creative practices (i.e., painting, wood carving, shipbuilding, etc.) that one first learns by becoming an apprentice. And often a good part of the act of acquiring the skills necessary to be good at something is to learn by example. This 2 hour writing practicum will do just that by taking one of your favorite short stories and then employing this story as an example you will be asked to write an imitation of the story. Imitation requires not only great respect and reverence but also a thorough knowledge (e.g., as in close reading) of the thing you wish to imitate. This practice will hopefully force you to look at your favorite story most carefully (from a writer's perspective) thereby allowing you the chance to discover what exactly it is about the story that moves you as well as explore how exactly this story does whatever it does do. Your imitation will address aspects of fictional construction such as characterization, style, voice, point-of-view, mood, the use of a specific setting, etc.. Using these insights, you will then be asked to write a story of your own based on what you have discovered or uncovered about your favorite short story. All that is required is that you bring with you to the workshop two copies of the story you wish to imitate and a willingness to copy something you already admire greatly.