Narrative or Creative Nonfiction Track

Narrative or Creative Nonfiction tells a story using facts with the suspenseful and emotional techniques of fiction to edge the reader toward a deeper understanding of a topic—the “why” and “how” of life events. Yet nonfiction can still be creative. In this track, courses are taught in workshop format, and focus on essential skills such as choosing suitable subjects, gathering information through research, interviews, and firsthand observation or experiences, and writing a compelling manuscript worthy of publication.

The Elements of Style of Creative/Narrative Nonfiction: 1-Day Workshop
In this dynamic, intensive workshop, address the stylistic elements that have driven the popularity of true stories told in dramatic fashion-stories that provide readers with a better understanding of their world. Learn how to capture conversations and write them from the subjective viewpoint-which enables the reader to gain a better understanding of a topic, a person or an experience. Prerequisite: Creative Writing Introduction or departmental permission.

Narrative Nonfiction: One
Narrative or creative nonfiction relates a factual story but uses the suspenseful and dramatic techniques of fiction to edge the reader toward a deeper understanding of the topic – the emotional “why” and “how” of life events. Whether travel, biography, history, commentary, sports, or science, all stories reap readership and understanding when conflict, suspense, context, tension, and dialogue are emphasized. In class, students will identify their story and its dramatic elements, audience, and potential publishing options, as well as pinpoint what additional research may be needed and where it can be found. Students can expect to write their beginning chapter, develop a realistic writing schedule, and draft a proposal letter. Prerequisite: Creative Writing Introduction or departmental permission.

Narrative Nonfiction: Two
NNF II pulls together the writer's research and plan to organize the middle (so that it isn't a muddle), with the aim of being ready to present to an editor or agent a manuscript with a logical chapter sequence and a topic sentence outline for each chapter. Next, students flesh out the beginning chapter, which illustrates the writer's hand with drama. From that experience a realistic writing schedule is developed, which leads to writing a proposal letter for the book and a plan to submit to prospective buyers. Prerequisite: Narrative Nonfiction: Part One.

Novel /Narrative Nonfiction Three: Polish (formerly Master Class/Novel Three)*
Working with your completed story (fiction or nonfiction) you will learn the techniques of self-editing and the rules of rewriting. In workshop-style classes, you will apply tools that strengthen character relationships, tighten your writing, and dramatize your story. By class conclusion, you should have a polished first thirty pages and a plan for the final rewrite. The final course before applying to the SMU Writer's Seminar in New York. Prerequisites: Novel Two/Narrative Nonfiction Two or SMU Continuing Studies Creative Writing Program private tutorials, and complete manuscript.

SMU Writer's Seminar in New York
For four days, in the extraordinary setting of an Upper East-side mansion, students will have the opportunity to live the literary life. Hear an honest and full critique of your manuscript from publishing professionals, enjoy meals and lectures with those in the business, and learn firsthand the intricacies of the publishing world. Prerequisites: Visit smu.edu/newyork for complete prerequisite listing.

Creative Nonfiction: Newspaper & Magazine Writing
Publishing articles in today's magazines and newspapers requires original thoughts and workable ideas – the engines of writing nonfiction. Stimulate your personal creativity and learn to identify and mold concepts into a publishable article. Consider the many forms – essay, column, review, feature, how-to, commentary, and investigative report – to find the story you want to write, and the story others will pay to read.

Creative Nonfiction: Travel Writing
From Herodotus to Conde Nast, travel writing has gripped our imagination. The story of a trip isn't only an external journey, but it is also about personal transformation – on any scale. Bring your tale of experience and learn to apply vivacity, subtext, texture and depth, thus discovering the great adventure within. Whether for publication, or personal pleasure only, by class conclusion you'll have the "road map" to write your odyssey.

Creative Nonfiction: Memoir/Biography

Truth is stranger than fiction. How do you write truth with the drama of fiction? Turning a life, whether yours or another's, into riveting text, is more than simply recording and reporting facts. Learn how to use character development, dialogue, and vivid imagery to reveal an engaging – true! – story. Apply research, interviews and firsthand observations to story structure and watch it come to life.

*Formula For Success:

The SMU Writer’s Seminar in New York serves as a culmination of the SMU Continuing Studies Creative Writing Program, and as such, carries several prerequisites. These prerequisites help our students move from course to course within the program along pre-determined “paths” that contribute to their success and help to ensure that students gain certain skills before moving on to the next level. In addition, following these prerequisites helps to ensure the highest level of quality for the SMU Writer’s Seminar in New York applicants.

However, we do understand that students come to the SMU Program with a wide range of writing experiences, from true novice to seasoned wordsmith. Given this range of experience, we allow students with extensive and demonstrable experience in academic writing classes an opportunity to "place out" of the introductory course, "Creative Writing Introduction."

For complete program information, including program “paths,” course dates and times, and New York Seminar prerequisites, please visit www.smu.edu/creativewriting. For information about the petition process to place out of the introductory course, please send an email to youngkin@smu.edu.