Read Your Way to Writing Well: The Dark Comedic Story

INSTRUCTOR: Nick Almeida
TIME: Four Thursdays, February 8, 15, 22, 29, 6:00–9:00 p.m. CST
PRICE: Early bird price: $150 for members, $180 for nonmembers. The deadline for early bird pricing is Friday, February 2. After Friday, February 2: $180 for members, $210 for nonmembers. Become a member here. Apply for a scholarship here.
LOCATION: Online via Zoom
LEVEL: All levels
CAP: 15

When does humor slip into our lives? According to author Lorrie Moore, in “times of collision, emergency, surrealism, aftermath, disorientation.” How odd, then, to consider why we laugh in darkest moments, how humor often casts a long, black shadow. In this workshop, we will examine the work of four writers who specialize in the tragicomic: George Saunders, Lorrie Moore, Elizabeth McCracken, and Jim Shepard. How do their stories make us wince in laughter and show us dark aspects of everyday life? And—most importantly—what techniques and strategies can we carry into our own work? Together, we will study ways to braid the comic with its All darkness, and darkness with unconquerable laughter.

This four-week workshop will center four short stories (one per week, provided by the instructor) as well as discussions regarding any ongoing projects of workshop participants. The goal of the workshop is to develop a toolkit for the incorporation of what we call “dark comedy” into a writer’s storytelling. All with writerly aspirations and a good sense of humor are encouraged to join.

The story for our first class is Offloading for Mrs. Schwartz by George Saunders. Please read the story prior to class so we can jump right in.

This event is funded in part by the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance. This project is generously funded by the Houston Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, and Mid-America Arts Alliance.