Creative Writing Techniques: Fabulist Fiction

Fabulism is everywhere these days: in books, movies, and TV shows. With its eclectic mix of genres, rich symbolism, and quirky voice, fabulism has captivated viewers of shows such as Stranger Things and The Umbrella Academy. So what is fabulism? It is the weaving of fantasy, myth, futurism, and surrealism into a contemporary fictional world. 

In this course, you will learn how to write short stories in this genre that defies definition. Fabulist fiction doesn’t just break the rules—it knows no rules. The result is a wonderfully creative space to develop your writing skills. 

The course will explore examples from contemporary masters of fabulist fiction to guide your understanding of the creative perspectives and elements of the genre. Throughout the course, you will be given writing prompts that will inspire you to reimagine fairy tales, delve into sci-fi and futurist realms, and break free of boundaries. By the end, you will have several short stories for your writing portfolio that showcase your creative skills in fabulist fiction.

What you will learn:

✔ Write your own fabulist fiction short stories 
✔ Provide positive and constructive feedback to your peers 
✔ Discuss the literary movements that produced fabulism 
✔ Identify and describe the elements of fabulism in published works

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What you need to participate:

• Computer or mobile device with Internet. Internet speed must be at least 1.5Mbps download and 800Kbps upload. For students using a mobile device, download the Canvas mobile app and select “Interlochen Online” as your school.
• Word processing program, such as Google Docs or Microsoft Word 
• Adobe Acrobat Reader (free) or similar PDF reader
• (Optional) Paper notebook and pen/pencil

How the course works:

Interlochen Online courses are designed to be inspiring and flexible, with weekly learning units that combine video segments with guided instruction that you can complete on your own schedule during the week. You will interact regularly with your instructor and fellow students inside the learning environment. 

You can also participate in an optional weekly hour-long video class meeting, where you can learn from the instructor and interact with fellow students in real-time. At the beginning of the course, you will complete a survey indicating your preferred times for the class meeting. The instructor will make every effort to identify a meeting time that works for everyone. The instructor will also post recordings of the meetings and you can view them when it is convenient. 

The goal is that you walk away not only with practical skills and connections, but that you are inspired and motivated to pursue your art and realize your potential.