My goal in teaching fiction is to give students an arsenal of writing tools and the time and community in which to practice those tools, so that they may each find their unique voice and the confidence and courage to tell the stories only they can tell. My approach includes facilitating the careful study of published works and helping students apply their growing understanding of craft to be able to critically read their own writing and the work of fellow students.

Writing is a terrifying and beautiful thing, and the best I can offer my students is a supportive and challenging environment that encourages them to experiment with their expanding toolboxes, to take risks in form and content, to tell the hardest stories, to fail and try again. If I can teach my students one thing, it’s that the only way you really fail is if you stop writing.