Writing compelling speculative fiction doesn’t always require the creation of a whole new world—a little weird can go a long way. In this 90-minute generative presentation, we’ll explore three ways of unlocking new stories: crafting narratives from common expressions, gleaning horror from unfinished business, and using deliberate paradoxes to create new ways of looking at the world. The class is suitable for a wide audience, from those who are new to speculative fiction, to experienced authors looking for a little burst of inspiration (or a break from that stalled WIP).
Tara Campbell is an award-winning writer, teacher, Kimbilio Fellow, fiction co-editor at Barrelhouse, and graduate of American University’s MFA in Creative Writing. She teaches flash fiction and speculative fiction at venues such as American University, Johns Hopkins University, Clarion West, The Writer’s Center, Hugo House, and the National Gallery of