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 Naslund-Mann University and was a
2019 McKnight Foundation Writing Fellow.
Sampler Class: "Short Story Nitty Gritty"/January 22, 2025 (1 Session)
Want to try your hand at writing short fiction? Perhaps you’d like to take a short story class but you’re not sure if it’s a great fit for you—or you’re not sure if taking a fiction class online will be the experience you’re hoping for. If you’re new to the Loft, online classes, or creative writing, or you’d just like the opportunity to try a class for a brief time, meet other writers, and find a writing community while finding your own voice, this sampler class is the place for you!
Upcoming Short Story Fiction Class: "Short Story Nitty Gritty"/January 29, 2025 (8 Weeks)
In this 8-week class, we’ll explore all the basic elements needed to craft 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. In the first class, we’ll discuss its core strengths, 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 read excerpts in class. Discussion is meant to foster community. There will be an opportunity to receive peer feedback and comments from the teaching artist 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, which will be fine-tuned during the final weeks.
In the final session, students will read excerpts of their revised short stories and discuss if they’ve reached “The End.” The class will close with how and where writers can submit their work for publication, both to literary journals and online zines.
Upcoming novel writing course:""Get It Done Fast! Class:Fast-Draft Your Novel in 13 Weeks/March 26, 2025 (13 Weeks)
In Get It Done, 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.
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!