Seeds of Curiosity with Whitney Bryant

Every work of fiction and personal writing is essentially a work of suspense. What will happen next? Will the characters change? How will the writer bring together different themes or timelines? What unforgettable image or idea awaits us on the next page?

In this four-week class, we’ll investigate how writers keep readers engaged by planting seeds of curiosity through pacing, empathy, scene construction, and extraordinary use of language. We’ll explore topics including:

How do we know when to reveal or withhold information?
Once we’ve planted a seed of curiosity, how do we develop it over time?
What strategies can we use to incorporate tension into every scene?
How can writers create unique, vivid voices that keep a reader engaged?

The class will include discussions, generative writing, and readings by authors of genre fiction, literary fiction, and creative nonfiction.

“This suspense is terrible,” wrote Oscar Wilde. “I hope it will last.” Join us for this class, and build the skills you need to keep your readers' curiosity piqued from beginning to end!

• In-Class Writing Lift: Light
• Homework: Required
• Workshopping Drafts: Optional