Fundamentals of Fiction Writing (Rhetoric & Creative Writing)

  • Duration: 15 Weekly 60-min. Discussions
  • Schedule: Fall 2026
  • Price: $400
Objective

To study the fundamentals of fiction writing (including creating characters, structuring a plot, and developing a setting); to discuss techniques for improving writing craft, self-editing, and pursuing publication; and, to hone all of these skills by crafting five short stories over the course of the semester.

Outline
  1. Introduction to fiction writing; outline a short story
  2. Basics of writing craft; draft a short story
  3. Scene structure; edit a short story
  4. Character creation, part 1; outline a short story
  5. Character creation, part 2; draft a short story
  6. Plot structure, part 1; edit a short story
  7. Plot structure, part 2; outline a short story
  8. Setting development, part 1; draft a short story
  9. Setting development, part 2; edit a short story
  10. Theme; outline a short story
  11. Dialogue; draft a short story
  12. Showing vs. telling; edit a short story
  13. Writing for an audience; outline a short story
  14. Publication paths: pros and cons; draft a short story
  15. Concluding discussion; edit a short story

Instructor

Miss Grace MacPherson is a homeschool graduate who holds an AA in liberal arts from Casper College and is pursuing a BA in general studies from the University of Wyoming. She also has studied theology, Latin, and the great books at Luther Classical College. She has two years of teaching experience in private schools, first as a teacher’s aide for elementary school, and then as an online high school teacher for Latin and creative writing. She has published two novels, and has copy edited fiction for Kloria Publishing and non-fiction for a variety of publications. She also serves as the marketing director for Into Your Hands LLC. Her writing has won national awards, and she is a regular contributor to LifeDate, the quarterly magazine of Lutherans for Life. Learn more at www.authorgracemacpherson.com.

Scheduling

This course will be offered in the fall of 2026. The specific times for weekly videoconference sessions will be announced in the near future. To express your intention to enroll and indicate a preferred meeting time, contact us.

Our Unique Approach

  • Supporting families in lifelong learning
  • Offering interactive live sessions through small-audience videoconferencing
  • Teaching according to the classical pursuit of goodness, truth, and beauty
  • Cultivating the values of Western civilization: natural law, cardinal and theological virtues, Socratic questioning, syllogistic reasoning
  • Promoting the ideals of America’s founding: representative government and the rule of law for protecting people’s God-given rights to life, liberty, and property
  • Standing on the foundation of the historic Christian faith as taught in Holy Scripture and confessed in the ecumenical creeds and Augsburg Confession

Registration Opens May 1

Registration for  Fall 2026 opens on May 1.

For our Natural Childbirth Class, registration is available now by clicking here.

For all other courses, please browse our catalog of offerings and contact us if you wish to be updated when registration opens.

Testimonials

One would be hard pressed to find someone who understands classical Christian education better than Dr. Ryan MacPherson and his wife Marie. He is a highly respected scholar and they are both firmly grounded in a biblical worldview. I highly recommend their Lifelong Lyceum courses.

—Rev. David Thompson, director of the Center for Apologetics and Worldviews

Marie MacPherson is an exceptional educator whose passion makes the material engaging, and her calm, kind demeanor has encouraged my son to enjoy and actively participate in class. Most importantly, her instruction is firmly rooted in Scripture and our Lutheran faith. We are blessed to have found Marie and could not have asked for a better experience.

—Natalie, Georgia