Tag Archives: novel workshop

When and how do students write?

Posted on April 28, 2013 by Cathy Day
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I found this great article the other day, “Seven Effing Great Ways to Build Your Writing Routine.”  The author encourages us to find our writing “sweet spots” in order to maximize our daily/weekly output. Consider the following questions: How long … Continue reading →

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How to talk about a WIP

Posted on April 3, 2012 by Cathy Day
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To my novel-writing classes, Next week, you’ll meet with your small group and talk about 25-50 pages of  your WIP (work-in-progress), the novels you’ve been working on this term. This is the moment when a lot of novels fizzle out, … Continue reading →

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Novels vs. Stories in MFA Programs Survey Results

Posted on March 22, 2012 by Cathy Day
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My plan was to release the survey results one question at a time via ruminative blog posts like this one on whether MFA programs are “anti-novel” or not and this one on the “professionalization” question. But I’ve changed my mind. Many people … Continue reading →

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David Haynes: “My goal is to produce novelists, not novels.”

Posted on March 11, 2012 by Cathy Day
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This is important: no matter what Chad Harbach and John Stazinski say, my little informal survey did NOT indicate that MFA programs concentrate solely on short stories. They are not “anti-novel.” At least not on purpose anyway. The perception that … Continue reading →

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Survey Results: 56% say MFA favors story over novel

Posted on March 6, 2012 by Cathy Day
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It is possible to teach novel writing in MFA programs, and many do. My panelists (David Haynes, Patricia Henley, Sheila O’Connor, and Elizabeth Stuckey-French) prove it here, by sharing their syllabi with you. You’ve got everything you need to design your … Continue reading →

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Novel-Writing Class Best Practices

Posted on March 1, 2012 by Cathy Day
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If you’d like to teach a class in novel-writing but don’t know how, have no fear. My panel is here! David Haynes, Patricia Henley, Sheila O’Connor, Elizabeth Stuckey-French, and I have all taught the course, and we’ve compiled a Best … Continue reading →

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Take My Survey about Novels in MFA Programs

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Cathy Day
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“Of all the ambient commonplaces about MFA programs, perhaps the only accurate one is that the programs are organized around the story form.” Chad Harbach said this in his n+1/Slate essay, “MFA or NYC?” Do you think he’s right? I … Continue reading →

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Weekly Words

Posted on February 12, 2012 by Cathy Day
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I require my novel-writing students to turn in 2,250 words a week for 12 weeks. If they turn in the words, they get 25 points. If they don’t turn in the words (or turn in less than 2,250), they don’t … Continue reading →

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Write the Book You Want to Read

Posted on August 14, 2011 by Cathy Day
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Here’s the course description for my course: Advanced Fiction: Novel Writing According to a recent survey, 81 percent of Americans feel they have a book in them. I figure you’re here today because you’re one of those people. Good for … Continue reading →

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A Novel Graduation Story

Posted on May 8, 2011 by Cathy Day
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    This week, I’ve invited my friend Sherrie Flick to describe the novel workshop she taught this past semester at Chatham University, and my former student Ben Gwin to talk about being a student in that course. A little … Continue reading →

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