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What you'll learn
Discuss how the setting of a story can shape and influence its plot, tone, atmosphere and voice, all of which are key components of the short story.
Explore strategies for creating vivid, compelling settings even in pieces that are shorter, and talk about how Place can be one of the greatest informers of a work.
Tackle writing prompts and write together in class, getting started on our own place-centered stories!
Read excerpts from writers like Flannery O'Connor, Giada Scodellaro, Alejandro Zambra and Joy Williams.
Meet the instructor
Maeve Barry
Writing Institute Instructor
Maeve Barry is a writer in Providence, RI. She grew up in western Massachusetts. She teaches writing, and is the winner of the annual fiction prizes from The Iowa Review (2025), Ninth Letter (2025) and The Sewanee Review (2024.) Her stories have also been recognized by BOMB Magazine and The Florida Review. She's working on her first novel.
All Writers Welcome
Since 1983, the Writing Institute at Sarah Lawrence College has offered writers a robust and supportive community, with workshops, classes, seminars, conferences, readings and more. Our virtual and on campus classes are open to all writers, including classes for beginners, advanced prose and poetry workshops, teen programs and publishing seminars. Join us on February 9th for a taste of what our Writing Institute community is like!
Join Us On February 9th
Don't miss our free webinar with Maeve Barry!
Sign up today to attend or watch the recorded webinar later on.