The Short Story

Writing a short story is a wonderfully intricate process; we make hundreds—if not thousands—of creative decisions in the course of telling a single tale.

In this workshop, we’ll find ways of focusing those many decisions into what works for you as a storyteller:
> How are stories structured?
> How do we create compelling characters?
> What is the impact of setting on a story?
> How much plot does a given story need?
> How do we rewrite stories successfully?

We’ll have two writing sessions during the weekend. Your work will be read aloud—anonymously, so there’ll be no embarrassment, no competition.

And, as always, criticism plays no part in this group. Instead, we’ll solve persistent writing problems; expand your writing strengths; and integrate new techniques. You’ll leave this workshop with one “finished” short story—and a paradigm for how you, personally, approach storytelling on the page.


"The workshop was intense, in a good way...I learned that I can generate good raw material in a short time."
- Marco

63 comments:

  1. "I learnt how to deconstruct and then structure a short story, different genres, what makes an appealing story, how to approach character creation and how to revise your own work. I left with lots of ideas and avenues to explore."

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  2. "I got stuck writing my story and after taking the workshop, I had enough information on the anatomy of a short story to get started again. Plus I finished a short story overnight!"

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  3. "The short story workshop was...a safe and supportive environment in which to learn concrete lessons about the nitty gritty of writing, as well as an enjoyable and charming conversation with like minded individuals who admire and aspire to express their thoughts on the page. Lisa demystified the process of writing in a clear, concise manner, providing relevant examples which all could relate to."

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  4. "This is an amazing workshop. I learned to first put things on paper in one go--then to start shaping and giving direction to my story. Great methodology, great teacher, great colleagues. It changed my perspective about writing, not only technically, but it also gave me more confidence to keep writing more and more."

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  5. "The class exceeded my expectations; I didn't think we could cover so much in the two evening sessions.

    I also liked the group very much - it was heterogeneous enough to be fun. It was an experiment for me, taking the two evening classes instead of an intensive weekend. It worked for me, especially because I had reserved time to write in between the two evenings. Evening classes have different energy, but the "intensity" (in the positive sense of the word) held up."

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  6. “I have difficulties putting my thoughts in the form of a story. I learned techniques for getting my meaning across…and writing in a structured way. The workshop also helped me to set goals and write regularly.”

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  7. “I learned about structure and form, I was exposed to inspiring examples of excellence, I learned that the key to writing is letting go at the start of any creation.”

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  8. "The teaching style was appealing and clear. I learned confidence and how to proceed with what I’m doing."

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  9. “The teacher was excellent at keeping the group focused by concentrating on the techniques used in the writing and less on the story itself. This way we avoided just sitting around and voicing our opinions and instead learned about the craft of building the story.”

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  10. “I learned that I can write a story in one night--and translate it into English in the morning. I also learned that the feeling I was trying to get across was picked up by the group. And that a second draft is even harder to write than the first.”

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  11. “I was happy that we received a lot of technique tips and tricks which will prove useful. [I learned that] I have to spend more time on writing if I am genuinely interested, but I already sort of knew this. I liked the discipline and I needed the discipline. [The hand-out contains] very good material, good for teasing out a desire to write into something more concrete. I was not sure what to expect but was pleasantly surprised and more engaged than I thought I would be; well worth the fees.”

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  12. “I learned a lot about technique and structure of writing short stories - I also think this course will help with other forms of writing too (longer fiction, nonfiction). I felt the key messages were about ensuring that we communicate what we really want to, and the structures and techniques will help me to do that.

    I thought [the management] of the group was outstanding, keeping us focused on the issues, structure and technique and not letting us run off into unstructured opinion-giving.

    One suggestion would be to schedule an optional dinner or drinks session after the workshop so that we can get to know each other a bit.”

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  13. “I learned the importance of adressing narrative questions. I learned that I value working with an outline, because it helps me to adress important narrative questions beforehand. I learned to play by the rules, but not always :)

    I learned that I do not respond well to pressure and to try to avoid putting pressure on myself while writing. I also noted that freewriting or writing to prompts works well for me.”

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  14. “I learnt about classic literary structure; literary terms; and how to read with a writer's eye, while still listening with your whole body. I also learnt to be open to all styles and types of writing, and to be sensitive to other people's process, in the same way you wish them to be sensitive to yours.

    The hand-out is excellent, informative and very useful to take away and continue to refer back to. The choice of short story as an educational teaching-aid was brilliant, as it was both classical and yet highly contemporary.

    The setting (Waterstone's after closing time) was sublime and added to the experience; it was very special to be learning the art of writing whilst surrounded by zillions of books.

    It was a wonderful experience that dealt sensitively with the creative process, was full of encouragement, whilst still being insightful and highly informative."

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  15. “I learned more about the structure of a short-story and what makes it different from other literary forms. It was good to see the example of a professional writer.

    What did I think of Waterstone's as a setting? I thought the fact that we were surrounded by all those marvelous books made it all very special. It really added to the inspiration. I thought it was a nice touch to have examples of short-story collections beside us - and I loved glancing through them during the breaks.”

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  16. “I learned about the need for patience, vision, attention to detail, a love for the sound of the written word, self belief and the need for constant re-drafting! I learned that I can do it. It is empowering and liberating to be able to learn how to create a memorable image…. Waterstone's after hours was ideal – the perfect setting for a short story itself!”

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  17. “I learned so much! I thought it was lovely to be surrounded by books [at Waterstone's]. The workshop managed to make me write again, and that alone is remarkable. Thank you!”

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  18. “Most importantly I learned to appreciate the short story. I've always been a novel reader and therefore have always thought when I write something it should be novel length. After the workshop I realized how powerful a short story can be and how difficult it really is to write one. I also learned about the importance of writing a first draft, allowing yourself to really write and not think about whether it's good or what you should change. I also found the use of prompts very useful. In general I get my prompts from daily life: I'll see something and use it in my story. But often enough, while writing, I get stuck. Prompts could really help me get past that.

    I learned that I already know a lot about writing, even if I don't know the correct terminology. I also learned that I have ideas that are interesting to people, based on the feedback for the short story we actually wrote during the course. I also learned that it's not scary to let others read what you write and let them give you their opinion.

    And the setting was absolutely brilliant. I loved the feel of the private bookshop for learning more about writing. I don't think there's a better place…I absolutely loved the workshop. My boyfriend was spot on in giving me this workshop as a present for my birthday. Thanks so much!”

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  19. “I wouldn’t have been able to finish the stories that I have without this workshop”

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  20. “I learnt to just throw the story out there and to structure later...
    and to give myself deadline for having something on paper.

    I also learnt to ‘apply bum to seat’ and do it; that I have a lot of reading to do, and a lot of development. Perhaps a further study?

    I loved the setting (Waterstone's after hours); it was a great stimulator.
    Almost romantic :)

    I find the workshops a great stimulating event, and a great way to meet other people 'in the same boat'”

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  21. “I realized I could take a writing course after work, write for several hours, and still make it back to the day job and then be surrounded by writers the next evening. I was inspired.”

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  22. JenniferMay 30, 2011

    “The workshop gave me the appropriate vocabulary...It felt good to write a story overnight—quite fluid.”

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  23. “Totally compelling! So nice to meet and be amongst people who inspire you.”

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  24. “Since the class I have been writing mini fragments most nights in bed - with pen and paper in the oldfashioned way…it was a relief and an inspiration to be with people obsessed with writing.”

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  25. Marie-JeanneMay 30, 2011

    “I learned to write fast, produce material, and work fast to get to a basic story...then rework it later.”

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  26. “Waterstone’s after hours was fantastic, inspirational.”

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  27. “My personal objective—to kick-start me writing—was fully achieved.

    The workshop was easy to follow, even though English is not my native language.”

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  28. “For me it was an epiphany that I can generate short-story material on a specific subject.”

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  29. “I learned...to tap into the unconscious mind and the creative self. It’s immensely liberating to write without any conscious effort, and without the tendency to self-edit or self-criticise.

    I had a truly powerful revelation during the class: I discovered that writing in the third person liberated me enormously from the (self-imposed) constraints of writing in first person. I have always written in first person, perhaps because I’ve been writing journals most of my life. As such, my writing always felt too personal, and admittedly too uninteresting, to share with others. Writing in the third person allowed me to address personal subjects with some distance, making them somehow safer to explore.

    Thank you for creating a nurturing, safe environment in the workshop that allowed me to tap into my own creative voice and to summon the courage to share my writing with others. That exchange – sharing each other’s writing – was a powerful exercise, and is perhaps one of the best ways to learn from others and improve.

    I was truly impressed by the quality of writing in the class; there are some truly gifted writers out there.”

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  30. “I felt understood in my wish to write :-)

    I feel very motivated by the workshop. It gave me confidence; I feel much richer in possibilities. That means the writing will come more easily. And probaby more often. As a matter of fact, I reviewed an old story of mine on Sunday evening, and I was really pleased with the result....”

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  31. “Making time for this weekend’s workshop is the best thing I have done for myself in a long time. I need to do it more often. Regularly, in fact.


    I learnt that I can allow myself to start writing and then come back later to organize everything-that it doesn't all have to make sense first time round.”

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  32. “I started the class with lots of doubts about how it was going to go for me, given that I never managed to go beyond starting stories. But even before the second day of the workshop began, I found out that I could write a short story in Italian, translate it into English, revise it and meet the word count!”

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  33. “What did I learn from this particular workshop? More literary language. How to decipher the literary aspects of a text.

    I felt inspired... by the overall quality of the workshop; the professional guidance; the safe and comfortable environment; the humorous and relaxing—but sharp—methodology, which made it easy to stay focused.”

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  34. “I found these 2 days very encouraging. The workshop had a clear structure; questions were answered with a lot of care and passion; the time management was excellent; and it was a really nice international group of people.”

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  35. “This is the first time I managed to write something with a story in it, with a beginning, middle and end...this workshop helped me to overcome my block.”

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  36. “I learned writing fragments and later imagining a story seems to work better for me. I finished an imperfect story. But I finished it!

    I plan to write to discover a style of my own. I like to put words together, so that, once assembled, they sound beautiful.”

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  37. “I learned that short stories (which I've always avoided reading, let alone writing) have depth and can be very satisfying to write.

    I felt very satisfied finishing a first draft...I enjoyed the challenge of handing something in. The biggest revelation to me was that I didn't have to have my whole story outlined in my head - that the story would reveal itself if I had the courage to simply write. This concept was a revelation!”

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  38. “It was an exciting weekend, full of wit ... some sort of mini vacation for my hungry brain! I left the writing workshop wanting to read more, write more and continue to explore more: very inspired!”

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  39. “I learned to trust the process, to ask certain questions of my work, and I learned some revision techniques. I learned to be more professional and objective about my writing.”

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  40. “I learned to clarify and identify the elements needed for a complete story. But especially the idea of a FIRST DRAFT. This is very important for me personally as I always tried to have a complete work in front of me. I highly recommend taking this course, whether you are a professional writer or aspiring writer. It opens the floodgates of creativity and helps wash away the inhibitions to continue doing what you love.”

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  41. “I liked the tricks the instructor gave us to just start writing, and the idea that cleaning it up is a long process. Usually I think things over too much, or when I am not happy with what I writing I get irritated with myself and stop. I learned that good writing doesn't necessarily happen with the first draft, that it is not inspiration falling from the sky onto the page. And I appreciated all the info on what rewriting / editing actually is, because I always tinker with the details; you need to pay attention to what info is missing in the story.”

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  42. “Great instructor, very sharp but constructive and with a love for literature that is contagious.”

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  43. “I appreciate that [the instructor] imparts energy throughout the 2 days, and never slacks off.”

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  44. “I learned some very practical things a writer can do to improve a story, and I learned how and when to deploy these skills. I came away from the class with a much clearer sense of how to approach the writing of a short story, which is really the best possible outcome. It’s a nice, accessible format.”

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  45. “I learned much more about literary techniques for building the story and describing the characters and setting. It was very rich and intense. I discovered (again) that I have a hidden trove of stories inside me. I am gaining more and more confidence that I will be able to get these stories out. I loved the workshop.”

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  46. “I gained a deeper understanding of the structure of a short story and what makes a good short story. I personally learned that it is, indeed, possible for me to write a short story and I felt empowered following this workshop. This was my 3rd workshop [with the Amsterdam Writing Workshops] and I felt the most comfortable I've ever felt. With all of my previous anxieties (i.e. the fear of having my work read aloud, fear of what others would think of me as a beginning, inexperienced writer) erased, I felt more clear-headed about approaching my writing and I just felt more free, uninhibited, and able to write. As a result, I feel more encouraged than ever to continue writing. The instructor is a master at creating a safe place for new writers to experience various forms of writing and to challenge themselves to write. The workshops inspire writing. I took my first workshop 9 months ago and have almost not missed a day of writing since! [The instructor] also has a gift for reading the work of others and when the pieces of each class member are read aloud, it is an absolute joy to hear the writing of others. More importantly, her manner somehow assuages the anxiety one might feel in having his/her own work read aloud. The format the instructor employs is the perfect way for a writer to expose him/herself to the input of others. It was an extremely positive, encouraging experience.”

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  47. “Almost everything was new for me. I really enjoyed the short story analysis and the freewriting technique. It was a unique experience, going out my comfort zone and freeing my creativity.”

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  48. “Thanks again for an inspiring weekend! Generating a character for the first time—in this form—out of nothing was a unique experience. I would like to write a book one day; this nudged me in that direction.”

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  49. “Using her excellent choice of an exceptional short-story model, the instructor helped us through a professional analysis of a short story and learning.”

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  50. “I really like the instructor’s energy, directness, and commitment during the session. Interaction was natural and helpful. I really recommend this to others, especially if this is something different from one’s normal routine.”

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  51. “I learned the need to make every word count when you have a small canvas. The process of writing came easier this time and I was less concerned with quality. How the Amsterdam Writing Workshops manages to keep it fresh after 12 years is a marvel. The instructor makes everyone in the room feel comfortable to contribute and challenge. It makes for a real learning environment.”

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  52. “I learned the basic structure of storytelling in a simple, concise form. I was able to use characters to tell the story. I also reinforced my understanding of various writing techniques. I realized how important it is to stay when giving feedback to each other.”

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  53. “It is really helpful to work in a group like this. Writing does not only happen alone. This workshop was a great experience in a group full of motivated and inspiring writers; it helped me to reflect on my own work...I learned techniques that will help me structure and perfect my writing."

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  54. “I think I will have much less trouble writing now. I've realized what my biggest problem with the short story is: how to tackle it. These workshops are amazing! Definitely worth coming for all the way from Oxford. I needed some inspiration and the instructor delivered beyond expectations (as always).”

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  55. “I was interested in the workshop primarily to see if it could help me to unlock my imagination. I think it has. I am now starting to see my way to writing fiction, to using my imagination.”

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  56. “At The Short Story workshop I learned that when you put your ideas on paper, those ideas don't need to be perfect. It takes time and persistence to finally create characters and stories that are just as you imagined them.”

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  57. “I learned the mechanics/elements critical to writing a successful short story.

    I learned that it takes discipline and commitment. And that writing is similar to a muscle: you have to use it or lose it.

    And I really enjoyed the structure of the workshop, appreciated the discipline and organization. I felt we had a lot of freedom to write whatever we wanted to—with no worries about a harsh critique. At the same time, the writing and topics we covered were managed very well. Really well done!”

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  58. “I found I could create a story that I never knew was in my treasure chest! Was very inspired by the clever use of literary terms. And I learned that it can be extremely powerful to consciously employ methods and techniques.”

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  59. “The most important thing I learned is to set aside some of my emotions while writing: fears and insecurities that had blocked me. Yes!”

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  60. “I learned the importance of structure, setting, details, and humor. More specifically: I learned that freewriting is a technique for jumpstarting a story; it was very useful—and fun. It was also a great help to writing the short story.”

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  61. “I learned new ways to think about writing - my own and other people's. I learned to look at my work more carefully and more objectively, and I now feel more inspired and more confident about progressing with my own writing. Also, if I want to reach an audience for my work, I need to (also) approach it like a reader.

    And the instructor’s hints on dailiness were like gold dust!”

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  62. “I learned how to structure, organize a short story and how to get going. What I’d like to learn more about at another workshop: how to know when what you’ve written is finished/good enough.”

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  63. “Great course - thanks!

    I’ve done a graduate diploma in Writing, Editing and Publishing, which is intended for people who will work in the industry as well as for creative writers, but it was 7 years ago and we spent one lecture on the short story. So it was great to be reminded about the structure again, about how to look for the 'evidence in the text' of what the author was doing, and about how to analyse the text in literary terms. It really felt like we did that quite in depth with the time we had, and it was very illuminating.”

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If you have taken this workshop, please send us your feedback here.