Fiction writers sometimes treat exposition as a necessary evil or a mere means to the dramatic pay-off of scene. This especially holds true for short stories, where limited space deters expository excess. Yet some of our best short story writers make liberal use of exposition. How do they pull it off? What purpose does heavy exposition serve? When is it useful? When does it weigh a narrative down? And what does writer Akhil Sharma mean when he says “exposition always contains tenderness”? Through readings, discussion, and exercises, we'll explore these questions and more.
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Short Form Fest is a two-day celebration of short stories, essays, flash prose, and prose poetry. Featuring craft seminars, panels, workshops, and evening events, this festival takes place on July 26-27. Check out the Short Forms Fest info page to learn more.
