UPCOMING COURSES
I teach the art of short story and novel writing online.
My teaching approach is hands-on, and I strive for inclusivity.
I am very supportive of my students and will meet them wherever they are on their writing journey.
I hold an MFA in creative writing from
Spalding University’s Naslund-Mann School of Writing and was a
2019 McKnight Foundation Writing Fellow.
Upcoming Short Story Fiction Class | TBD, via The Loft (8 Weeks)
Wondering about the basic elements needed in crafting a short story? Each week we’ll dive into the essential aspects of the short story form such as character, plot, point of view, theme, and setting. Students will pre-read a short story by Viet Thanh Nguyen. A discussion about its core strengths will occur on the first day—then students will jump into writing a short story of their own.
Classes will kick off with instruction and generative exercises then move into interaction. Students will submit up to five pages of their work-in-progress and then read excerpts in-session. Discussion is meant to foster community. There will be an opportunity to receive peer feedback and comments from the teacher according to “workshop etiquette,” which will be demystified in the first class.
By mid-course, students will have the opening pages of a “rough draft” of a short story that they will fine-tune during the final weeks. In the last session, students will read excerpts of their revised short stories and discuss if they’ve reached “The End.” The course will close with how and where writers can submit their work for publication, both to literary journals and online zines.
Upcoming: Novel Writing Course: "How Novel"/January 17, 2026 (13 Weeks)
In How Novel!, we’ll focus on writing your novel above all else.
This course is for aspiring and experienced writers of all levels, genres and backgrounds, who have a solid idea for a novel and are motivated to write a complete first draft in thirteen weeks. That is a lofty goal and you’ll need support along the way to get it done. Together, we will build a supportive writing community, and you will receive constructive feedback each week from me and your workshop partners. We will motivate and support each other as first readers throughout the drafting process.
You will write up to 7,000 words a week, for 13 weeks. While the workshop component is the backbone of the course, there will also be instruction on craft–including the classic three-act structure. Each weekly writing submission will be reviewed and workshopped. You will receive actionable feedback to use in future revisions, along with tailored resources and further readings to help you learn as you write.
You’ll come away from this course with a completed first draft of your novel, and a solid plan for what’s next.
The class meets once a week via Zoom, and work is shared via Wet.Ink platform. To enroll, please reach me through my contact form below. Hope to hear from you!
SHORT FICTION
“I have taken many writing classes after my short story class with Troy, and they never live up to her class. Troy is passionate, caring, and knowledgeable, has high expectations for her students, and uses her talent and skills to ensure everyone succeeds. I finished the short story I’ve had in my head for years within her class, and am so proud of it.”
—Jasmine B.
NOVEL WRITING
Troy designed the class material so that writers of all stages can get something new out of each class.
Her gentle and open-minded approach to workshops allowed me and my classmates to show up with our work with confidence and ease, knowing that our work will be treated with kindness and respect.
Her apparent expertise in writing and her dedication to classes and students makes her a teacher any writing students would be lucky to have.
—Anni.L.
SHORT FICTION
Troy’s short stories class was just what I needed to take my creative writing to the next level. Her step-by-step approach to building strong prose helped me understand the crucial elements needed for successful storytelling.
—Christine N.
NOVEL WRITING
Troy is a thoughtful and intuitive teacher with a strong command of the craft.
Under this course, I managed to type the words ‘The End.’
I strongly recommend her course and would take up any of her other courses as soon as they become available.
—Michelle B
HAVE A Question? ASK AWAY!
I am always happy to connect with writers.
So, don’t be shy!