The Craft of POV: Perspective, Distance, and Narrative Energy
with Nora Lange
Genres: Fiction, Nonfiction, Memoir, Young Adult/Children's Lit, Novel, Short Story, Essay
Online
Online Introductory, Intermediate
Introductory, Intermediate 6 Sessions
6 Sessions POV: You’re studying point of view to write better stories.
Most writers think their story problems are about plot or character; but often, the real issue point of view. Who’s telling the story, and how close we are to them, shapes everything: voice, momentum, intimacy, distance, tension, what the reader feels and even what they believe.
In this class, we’ll explore point of view as both a technical choice and a deeply creative one. Through close readings of a wide variety of writers such as Halle Butler, Suzanne Collins, Rachel Cusk, Donna Tartt, Stephen King, and Rita Bullwinkel, we’ll look at how perspective and tense shape a story’s energy and tone.
You’ll experiment with different POVs through weekly prompts—shifting distance, testing interiority, and playing with the friction between what a narrator observes and what they can’t (or won’t) admit: How do we experience story differently when we’re inside the protagonist’s head versus seeing it unfold from the vantage point of an observer? Or when we’re moving between two people locked in conflict?
Over eight weeks, you’ll build a personal toolbox for understanding how different points of view choices open or restrict a story’s possibilities. We’ll look at how these choices shape voice, authority, and emotional charge, and how the right alignment can make a scene hit its target.
The class culminates in a workshop where we “blue sky” your current project—trying out different perspectives to see which one brings the story into focus. Expect a mix of close reading, generative writing, and practical discussion about how POV can drive, clarify, or completely transform the work you’re trying to write.
You’ll leave with a clearer understanding of how to choose and sustain point of view, and a stronger sense of the voice your story truly wants.
The Craft of POV: Perspective, Distance, and Narrative Energy with Nora Lange focuses on:
- Generative Writing: Focuses on producing new writing through prompts and exercises.
- Creative Play & Exploration: Focuses on playful, experimental writing activities designed to break creative blocks and spark ideas.
- Craft & Technique: Focuses on the building blocks of strong writing.
What to expect:
- Reading & Analysis: Published works will be closely read as part of the learning process.
- Class Discussion: Facilitated class conversation.
- Prompts & Exercises: Class features guided writing activities.
- In-Class Writing Time: Class will include dedicated time to write.
- In-Class Sharing: Students are invited to share their writing aloud or in small groups during class.
- 1-2 hours of reading and/or writing outside of class per week.
Students say…
"The instructor is a lovely, passionate soul…The environment for the class led to great discussions and non-judgmental suggestions on the strengths of everyone's writing. There were also several excellent generative sessions. One of my favorite instructors! Writing is such a personal thing, and Nora handles the sessions with respect and care for everyone who is showing up and doing the work.”
Registration Dates:
- December 2: Member registration opens at 10:30 am PT
- December 9: General registration opens at 10:30 am PT
- December 14: Last day of Early Bird discount
- December 16: Scholarships open
Nora Lange
Nora Lange’s novel Us Fools is longlisted for the National Book Critics Circle Award in Fiction, a Los Angeles Times bestseller, and New York Times Editors’ Choice. Nora’s writing has appeared in BOMB, Hazlitt, Joyland, American Short Fiction and elsewhere.
FAQ
Complete FAQEach class description includes a breakdown of what you can expect in terms of in-class activity, feedback, and homework (if any).
Generative means you’ll be generating new writing, either in class or at home between classes.
Workshop means you’ll be sharing work to be read and critiqued by your instructor and classmates and that you will also be critiquing the work of your peers.
Reading means you’ll be doing close reading of a work with an eye toward craft.
Craft discussion means you’ll be looking at the tools writers use to do that thing they do so well and then trying it out yourself.
Class levels are designed for various stages of the writing journey. Simply self-select the level that sounds best for where you’re at.
Introductory: This is your first creative writing workshop, first writing class since high school, or first foray into a new genre or form. You’re looking to try something new, kickstart your writing, and/or establish yourself in the fundamentals.
Intermediate: You have a strong understanding of writing fundamentals and are eager to deep dive into craft. You’re honing your writerly identity and voice through independent projects. In workshop, you look for constructive feedback and are ready to do writing and reading outside of class.
Advanced: You’ve written a significant body of work and have taken it through several stages of revision. You’re getting ready to publish or are in the early stage of publishing, and you’re interested in refining the skills that will take you to the next level in the literary industry.
All Levels: You are any of the above and are looking to play with new possibilities.
You’ll get your class information, including Zoom link if applicable, three days before the first day of class.
If you register for a class within this three-day window and do not receive this information, please contact us at welcome@hugohouse.org
Write With Hugo House is our free monthly write-in program that takes place online via Zoom.
We also have payment plans available for most of our classes. These payment plans are available to all students. Additionally, we offer partial scholarships (covering up to 40% of class tuition) for students who meet our income guidelines.
Lastly, we announce flash sales, early bird periods, and special deals through our e-newsletter; sign up at the bottom of this page.
Payment plans are available for all classes and can be purchased through our website. To register for a payment plan, select “Pay in installments” on the class details page, select your preferred option, and proceed to add to cart usual. The following policy applies to all payment plans:
- We charge a 5% nonrefundable administrative fee for all payment plans.
- The administrative fee is calculated based on the general class price. Discounts through memberships, coupons, scholarships, gift cards, or other promotions do not affect the administrative fee.
- Extended payment plans up to 8 monthly installments and 16 semi-monthly installments are available upon request.
- We are unable to hold seats for prospective payment plan students. Students will be enrolled once their first installment has been paid.
- If you need to cancel, Hugo House will issue refunds according to its cancellation and transfer policies. Your 5% nonrefundable admin fee will not be refunded.
- If you withdraw from a class after it begins, you will not receive a refund and are still responsible for paying the full course tuition.
Asynchronous classes are perfect for students that need flexibility!
During an asynchronous class, instructors release new lessons once per week. Students then have one week to complete that lesson and any accompanying coursework. You’ll learn as much as you would in a traditional class but with the flexibility to work at the best times for your schedule!
While there are no live sessions, asynchronous classes are still a lively and rigorous experience. Async classes are not static lessons but an adaptable and energetic community space. Be ready to work in a collaborative environment, giving and receiving feedback on your writing, participating in discussions, and growing your writing practice in a way that works best for you.
Asynchronous classes take place through the website Wet Ink. Students receive an invitation to the class and to set up a Wet Ink account on the start date of the class. Each week of the class, a new lesson will be available through the Wet Ink portal. Classes close two weeks after the end date, and students receive an email containing their content from the class when it closes.
Hugo House will only process refund requests that are submitted 5 days or more before the class start date. To request a refund, log in to your account, go to “My Account,” select the “Orders” tab on the left-hand side, click the appropriate order, and request a refund for your specific class. Administrative fees apply. Please see our full refund policy here.
To request a refund for class credit, please note such in the message section of your refund request.
In general, we do not record classes. However, an exception can be made with instructor approval if a student has specific access needs.
We encourage students to only sign up for classes that fit with their schedule.
We do not tolerate racist, sexist, homophobic, ableist, transphobic or any other oppressive behaviors, regardless of who commits them. Please check out our full community guidelines by clicking here. If an instance of community guidelines are violated and not resolved within the classroom, students may let us know by filling out the student incident report.
If Hugo House needs to cancel a class for any reason, you’ll receive a full refund.
You can apply for a scholarship by clicking the red “Request a Scholarship” text on class pages. The scholarship request text is located at the top of each class page, underneath the “add to cart” button.
Scholarship application dates can be found in our Academic Calendar.
Due to the limited number of scholarships, please only request up to two scholarships for two different classes per quarter if you truly meet the financial need requirements.
Hugo House members get to register early for classes – a full week before they open to the general public!, receive a 10% discount on events and classes, and more. See the full list of membership benefits here!
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