Here is a description of the SFF online classes at Gotham. The “advanced” class is the follow-up to the introductory “Level 1” class. The format is a mix of lectures, online discussion, weekly writing exercises, and workshop-style critique sessions of student work.
Syllabus follows. Dan Bob says check it out.
| Session | Topic |
| #1 | Introduction and Recap A brief introduction to SFF 2, and a recapitulation of the elements of fiction discussed in SF1 |
| #2 | Suspension of Disbelief
In which we discuss how to persuade your gentle readers to enter the fictive dream. |
| #3 | The Story Question
In which we discuss this very important question that defines the heart of your story. |
| #4 | Conflict A great followup to the story question. Conflict is the prevention of fulfillment and is the gasoline for your story’s engine. |
| #5 | Narrative, Dialog, Action In which we delve into using narrative, dialog, and action scenes to advance the story |
| #6 | Exposition and Theory In which we discuss paradigms for various forms of speculative fiction, and then get sane again with a discussion of exposition and how to introduce it into a story |
| #7 | Story Logic It’s one damn thing after another. |
| #8 | Advanced Worldbuilding More worldbuilding … |
| #9 | Details Sweating the small stuff |
| #10 | Revision This topic subject to change without notice |
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