Essays, flash fiction, short stories, oh my! In one line, three ways: Using One Prompt to Create Essay, Flash Fiction & Short Story, participants will review these genres and compose pieces to fit each.

Over the three, highly interactive sessions, writers will be guided through using the same one-line prompt to create an essay, a work of flash fiction, and the beginning of a short story. Participants will be encouraged to write their own one-liner; one-line prompts will be provided for those who need suggestions. Word limits will be applied to each writing and, because a short story is typically a longer format, participants will start their compositions and then be guided as to how they can proceed on their own. Coming up with a catchy title, the importance of editing then re-editing, and tips for answering a call for writers will also be discussed. Work can be shared during class only if participants would like to.

If you want to have fun learning how to use the same words to take you down three different paths, this is the writer's den for you!

This class is great for those trying to get a feel for their writing style, those  interested in exploring another genre, writers experiencing writer's block who need a bolt of inspiration, and those new to writing.

All class meetings will be held via Zoom. The link to join your Zoom classroom will be provided on the morning of your class. Please check spam folders if you do not receive an email confirmation upon registration. For more information on how to download or use Zoom, please click here.

 Meet Your Instructor:
tina scott lassiter

Author/writer, artist, and professional speaker, tina scott lassiter’s essays in response to current events/issues and as reflections on daily existence, are featured in midnight & indigo and Solstice Literary Magazine, the International Women’s Writing Guild, and BSW Chronicles websites. Judges for the anthology, Stay Salty: Life in the Garden State selected one of her essays to be included in a printed volume in 2021. A lover of words since the age of six, her first book, morsels of peeps…mindful musings, inspirational thoughts, quiet images was published in 2018; she has completed the manuscript for a second book that contains both humorous and deeply reflective essays that cover different periods of her life and is working on a novel. tina blogged about eclectic topics and issues for over 10 years, has journaled for over 20, and taught journaling to pediatric residents at Children’s Hospital, to students enrolled in a healing arts program at two high schools, and to adults as part of a creative learning module at Phillips at THEARC, all in Washington, DC. A former Adjunct Professor of Creative Writing for LaGuardia Community College in New York, she served as Art Editor/Columnist for an aspiring multicultural arts magazine while living in NYC, and co-edited and wrote for Janus, her campus literary magazine, while attending Howard University.

Course Takeaways

• Learn the difference and similarities between three writing genres
• Complete two writings (essay, flash fiction) and the beginning of a third (short story)
• Become familiar with how various writing styles can change the narrative created from one idea
• Get tips for submitting to calls for writers and how to get started
• Learn from each other as well as the instructor
• And perhaps, someone new or someone stuck will find their voice!

Course Expectations

• Show up and be present, participate in the discussions, and share your work (only if you are comfortable)
• These sessions are to encourage and support writers, especially those new to exploring your voice through the written word. Respect and a safe space for all will be expected, though healthy discussions will be entertained and led by the facilitator
• There will be very short homework assignments to help you prep for sessions two and three
• You will need to have something to write on (paper pad, journal, tablet) separate from the electronic device you are viewing the class on

Course Skeleton

• Week One: Course Etiquette, Essays
• Week Two: Flash Fiction
• Week Three: Short Stories