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Meet THe Team
A pressing question for every fiction writer: How do you get readers to feel for characters they have never met and who do not, in fact, exist? If we look to the example of three master short story writers, we find that at least part of the answer lies with point of view.
In this class, we’ll examine stories by Anton Chekhov (“Heartache”), Lucia Berlin (“Point of View”) and Jamaica Kincaid (“Girl”) and discuss how their different, sometimes unexpected approaches to point of view orient the reader to their characters’ concerns and ultimately win their sympathy. Topics discussed will include first, second, and third person; first person direct address; the pros and cons of limited vs omniscient; and the distinction between “point of view” and “narrative mode.” The goal will be for every participant to gain a few practical tips they can apply to their own projects.
• In-Class Writing Lift: Light
• Homework: None
• Workshopping Drafts: None
Andrew Steiner was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In 2022 he received an MFA from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. In his mid-20s he left a career in nonprofit development to work on a small vegetable farm, providing the setting for his first novel, Let This Remain, represented by The Wylie Agency. His short fiction has been published in Narrative, Epoch, Grain, and other outlets. He currently teaches creative writing and rhetoric at Grand Valley State University and Calvin University.
"Andrew was incredible! I learned a ton and I am very motivated to start my novel! He is clear and knowledgeable and such a great teacher. He takes enough time for explanation on a point but asks our feedback and really listens. We learned a lot. Thank you for a perfect first class!"
"Andrew's class was inspiring and informative. When I left, I felt like writing!"
"Andrew was great! Personable and engaging, he kept a solid tempo for the time we had and allowed for a lot of captivating discussion."
