Fiction as Activism: A Workshop
Helen Wan
Fiction as Activism: A Workshop

Why you should take this class: What is “fiction as activism”? All writing is an act of activism if it is an honest effort to engage with or comment on or generally make sense of the world. “Activism” doesn’t have to mean militant or angry, either. It can be funny, absurdist, uplifting, anything. At a time when most writers I know just want to curl up into a little ball and shelter in place, it is both important and necessary that good fiction continues to get made. Challenging times do not render writing less relevant or useful. On the contrary, it is the best time for it. Show up with your best work, and let’s take it from there.

REGISTER HERE

Class Description: This workshop will focus on how fiction writers can get story, voice, character, setting, resolution, and, pragmatically, timing, right during uncertain times in both publishing and the world. This course will tackle topics such as: how to select a timely story and setting, bring your unique personal perspective to current political events in a fictional context, and identify appropriate, relatable voice and tone (especially examining how protagonists may be both angry AND lovable). We will also discuss how to pitch a so-called “political novel” or “resistance literature.” Our goal is to have each participant be able to workshop his or her original work twice. We will also examine brief selections from other writers.

Helen Wan is a novelist and frequent speaker on race, gender, and class. Her debut novel The Partner Track (Macmillan/St. Martin’s Press) follows a young Chinese-American woman competing for partnership at a powerful law firm. She comes so close to attaining the ultimate goal of the American Dream, but suddenly, an offensive incident at the firm spotlights her status as an outsider. The book was the subject of a Washington Post Magazine cover story on the glass ceiling for Asian Americans. Her nonfiction writing on feminism, empowerment, and racial discrimination, has appeared in CNN.com, The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, and The Daily Beast. In addition to writing, Helen serves on the board of The Asian American Arts Alliance and New York Women’s Bar Association Foundation. She is currently at work on a new novel. Her author website is www.helenwan.com.

Five Sessions, 2 Hours (6PM-8PM)
Mondays, March 19th- April 16th
Fees & Payment Options: $270 General/$240 Member (JOIN THE FANCLUB!)
Registration Deadline: March 12th, 2017

NOTE ON ACCESSIBILITY
*The space is wheelchair accessible. No stairs. Direct elevator from ground floor to 6th floor.
*We strongly encourage all participants of the space/event to be scent-free.
If you all have any other specific questions about accessibility, please email Tiffany Le at tle@aaww.org.

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Fiction as Activism: A Workshop

Helen Wan
Monday, March 19, 2018
6:00 PM
$0.00
Asian American Writers’ Workshop
112 W. 27th St, STE 600
New York NY 10001
Upcoming Events
March 22 7:00 PM
[In-Person] In Celebration of: Put It On Record
Later this month, join AAWW for an evening woven of word, song, and dance with Sokunthary Svay, Anthony Lanni, and allia abdullah-matta!
March 25 7:00 PM
[IN-PERSON] LISA KO: MEMORY PIECE W/ AVA CHIN
Join Yu & Me Books and AAWW to celebrate Lisa Ko's new novel with Lisa and Ava Chin. MEMORY PIECE is an innovative and audacious story of three lifelong friends as they strive to build satisfying lives in a world that turns out to be radically different from the one they were promised.
March 26 6:00 PM
[IN-PERSON] PARUL KAPUR W/ SANGAMITHRA IYER
Join Yu & Me Books and AAWW to celebrate Parul Kapur's new novel, winner of the AWP Prize for the Novel, INSIDE THE MIRROR. Set in the aftermath of colonialism, as an impoverished India struggles to remake itself into a modern state, Jaya's story encompasses art, history, political revolt, love, and women's ambition to seize their own power. Parul will be in conversation with Sangamithra Iyer!