Intro to Queer Storytelling

Virtual - Link and pre-workshop instructions will be sent via email after registration!

Saturday August 23, 1-3pm

Age Group: 13+ (free for ages 13-18)

Level: All Levels

Max # of Participants: 10

Description: A lot of people ask me, “How do you know what to write about? Where do you even start?” The answer is going to be different for everybody, but I found it most helpful to get inspiration from a story I already like. Participants will come with a familiar story in mind (this could be a short story, novel, any written work) and break it down into the main plot, characters, and setting. What makes the story intriguing – is it the climax? Is it the theme? Is it the prose? How is queerness represented in the text? Do you like how it’s portrayed? Then, you will create your own retelling of this story, focusing on the aspects you like the most. What will you change? What stays the same? Why?

By the end of this workshop, participants will leave with a document they fill out that clearly helps them identify the aspects of a story they like and establish a basis for their retelling. They will also be able to complete a draft of their own story!

Before the workshop: Please re-read your favorite story and come with a short excerpt of it to use during this workshop.

Note: Since this is an all ages workshop, please do not include adult content in your excerpt or in-group discussion (save it for after the workshop!)

About the facilitator: Luka (he/they) is a storyteller and author from Squirrel Hill with a particular love for literary fiction, horror, and spending time outdoors. Luka is also one of Write Pittsburgh's Write Spark Emerging Writers-in-Residence!