Fiction Shop FAQs What skill level is required for Fiction Shop? Any writer with solid language abilities and basic narrative skills will benefit and progress. What materials will be required? Just pen and paper. Give your laptop a vacation. How Large are the Classes? Usually ten to twelve students Will there be writing exercises? For most classes, there will be brief a writing assignment for the next class. What about my work in progress? Because time is limited, there will be no extended read-and-critique sessions. Students may use excerpts from works in progress for assignments and receive critiques that way. However, there is no requirement for any student have a book or story in the works. Additionally students are invited to submit up to ten pages of fiction at the last class meeting. The instructor will critique and return the samples by mail. What if I miss a class? It happens. Students are welcome to contact the instructor to discuss missed classes. Does Fiction Shop benefit non-fiction writers? Fiction Shop works for all kinds of writers. For feature journalists and non-fiction authors, all the Fiction Shop elements - creating settings, describing characters, and understanding the narrative arc - are extremely important.   It's simple: the best non-fiction writers are great storytellers, too. Can I Ask a Former Student About Fiction Shop? Names and contacts are available on request. More questions? Email David Fulmer